Those Marvelous Magnificent Magnetic Guns

Name of Myth: Magnets as detonators...I mean accelerators


History/Background of the Myth: The Mythbuster Crew seems to love guns in every shape, fashion and tale. And, at least Jamie and Adam seem to have a thing for magnets. I thought, why not combine the two as the legend(s) of these type of guns could be some of the best of combined application of these two objects. Although it is not really a "myth" that these type of "guns" can be made, the speculation really surrounds the potential ability of these projectile launchers is certainly the stuff of legend. Like achieving 800 plus mph velocities from a gun no longer than a standard rifle. Lethal weapons from a gun no larger than a handgun. And then the pièce de résistance - the ability to accelerate an object fast enough to put it into orbit. "Science Fiction" (or not) at its best. Some of these ideas even date back to the late 19th century! And there are many versions...some coil induced accelerators...and some very simple repulsive types. Even the simple repulsive type (basically a tube, a magnet(1) and three steel or other attractive magnetic material) would be interesting to see if it could be put to good use.

Hypothesis of the Test: Test lethality of the smaller (handgun and rifle) weapons. Test the ability to accelerate a "bullet" to 800 mph in the rifle style weapon. Build a larger version of at least the coil(s) induced variety, test its projectile velocity, acceleration, and force and see just how feasible it might be to put something into orbit this way (obviously, you wouldn't really be able to try this one out...or could you?).

Ideal MythBuster(s) to Conduct the Test: Adam and Jamie for sure...with help from at least Grant. May need the entire group for this one!


Best Method to Conduct the Test: Build a variety of magnetically induced guns...both repulsive and coil induced varieties ...and in various sizes. Test against ballistics gel for lethality. Probably (also) a pigs carcass would also be useful. High speed cameras for the speed test. Large open area for the large size magnetic launcher (if it can be pulled off).

My Prediction: Busted/Confirmed/Plausible (choose one) Believed to be confirmed on making one, busted to plausible on lethality of the smaller weapons, busted on the 800 mph from rifle sized weapon. Busted on speculation of sending object into orbit from one of these types of guns (although, could be close).

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