Sliding Rod on Rails: Electromagnetic Braking

Sliding Rod on Rails: side view + top view

This version shows the same setup from two teaching perspectives at once. The side view makes the dynamics on the incline clear, and the top view makes the circuit, current direction, magnetic field, rod velocity, and braking force easy to read.

magnetic field B

velocity v

gravity vectors

magnetic braking force F_B

induced current I

velocity history

Physical setup

Mass m

Rail spacing L

Magnetic field B

Total resistance R

Incline angle α

Animation

Animation speed