Magnets

How playing with magnets can become the future’s big idea: Magnetic Levitation (Maglev).

People often experiment with magnets. We learn that there are two poles – north and south. We learn through experimentation that opposite poles attract, and similar poles repel each other. Most people know magnetic fields power a compass. We use magnets every day to hold notes on the refrigerator. But what other cool things can magnets do? For starters, they can levitate objects and make them float in the air.

Some magnets are strong enough to lift a train weighing many tons.

Scientists discovered they could place those magnets beneath a train, and along a track to power the train in place of a gas or electric engine.

Because magnetic poles attract or repel each other, magnets can be used to pull the train forward. It floats on a cushion of air, so there is no friction to slow it down.

Because the train is not touching the track, the lack of friction creates a smooth ride. It’s a very quiet ride.

Other maglev trains are designed using electromagnetic coils. When you turn on an electric current you create a magnetic field. Turn it off, the field goes away. By changing the fields the train can be pulled forward.

Maglev concepts started with an idea, a science experiment, a magnet and an observation. Add fun, trials and errors and . . . voila . . . today’s magic becomes tomorrow’s life changing invention.