How does our train levitate?

   
     Magnets each have a north polarity and a south polarity. The north side of one magnet would be attracted to the south side of another, just as the north side of one magnet would repel the north side of another magnet. These properties of magnets have been studied and used by scientists and physicists for many years, but according to many sources, the actual physics behind the laws is complicated to understand and explain. Therefore, the principles of magnets are just facts that will have to be accepted in order to go on with the explanation of our maglev train venture.

     For our project, the two long magnetic strips were both glued with the south sides facing upwards. Then the shorter magnetic strips were glued to the “train” with the south sides also facing upwards. When the train is placed between the guiderails on top of the tracks, the magnetic strips repel each other because the magnets have the same polarity. This makes it so that the train actually floats more than half an inch above the tracks!

Works cited

           Bosnor, Kevin. “How Maglev Trains Work”. howstuffworks.com. How Stuff Works, Inc. October 2004.

Accessed May 24, 2012. http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/maglev-train.htm