railgun construction

[max.yevs]

when constructing a railgun, does the projectile have to be magnetized in some way?

 

like here is a simple version of a railgun, although its really more just to demonstrate the concept

http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/electro/railgun/railgun.html

 

is it required for the projectile to be magnetized, like the way they use those two little magnets? or was that just to decrease amount of energy required?

[jules]

as far as i understand it no, it only has to be able to conduct electricity, it is the massive electric magnetic field created from the current going through the projectile at an angle to the rails that creates the force. right hand rule and right hand grip rule will help here