Magnetic Accelerator Cannon: Difference between revisions

The firing process of a super MAC gun can be seen in the level [[Cairo Station (Level)|Cairo Station]]. The process uses electromagnetism to fire a ferromagnetic-tungsten slug at high velocity. A ''huge'' amount of current is put through the first solenoid (coil of conducting wire) which creates a strong magnetic field which attracts the metal slug. As the slug passes into the solenoid, the solenoid is quickly turned off and the second solenoid, which is further up, turns on, which attracts the now high velocity metal slug just like the first solenoid, and the process is carried on. By the time the slug is fired out the end of the barrel it has been accelerated to a speed 4% of the speed of light or 12,000,000 m/s. At the same time a pair of thrusters on the bottom side of the station fire for a couple of seconds to counteract the acceleration imparted to the station. The process then repeats. It normally takes five seconds to recharge capacitors as well as load the slug, which is why boarding craft have to be deployed to take the stations out.