Mathematical Analysis of the Effects of Friction and Preacceleration on the Efficiency of Railguns

Efficiency equations that consider friction and preacceleration of the projectile were derived. Special consideration was taken to distinguish between the loss of performance due to friction and the actual energy lost as heat due to friction. A thorough analysis of the effects of friction was also provided for special cases such as when the friction force is proportional to the Lorentz force, and so on. The equations were then compared with a mathematical simulation of an arbitrary fictitious railgun.