Ring Launcher

The ring launcher consists of a vertically mounted solenoid of thick copper wire with an iron core. The coil is energized with by pressing the push button on the panel. Two aluminum rings are supplied with the apparatus. These rings fit over the solenoid and are supported at some height above the base by an adjustable collar. The behaviour of the rings when the coil is energized depends on the type of the ring placed over the coil at the time. The solid aluminum ring is propelled straight up while the slotted ring remains static, thus demonstrating the principle of electromagnetic induction as well as Lenz law.