Believe it or not, this technology is a reality thanks to magnets. Magnets are metals that generate a magnetic field,
which has two magnetic poles: north and south. Depending on which way two magnets are facing, their magnetic fields
will either attract or repel each other:
The Amazing Floating Train: How Much Weight Can A Maglev
Train Hold?
Kit Contents
QTY ITEM DESCRIPTION
2
23 1/2" self sticking magnetic strips
2
5 7/8" self sticking magnetic strips
2
Plastic angles
4
4 1/2" sheet metal screws
1
5/16" x 3/16" x 24" wood strip
1
3/4" x 1/2" x 24" wood strip
1
1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 5" wood block
1
Decal sheet
3
Ring magnets
1
Wooden dowel
You will also need from home:
- Wood or craft glue
- Pencil
Figure 1. Opposite magnetic poles (north and south) will always attract each other. Same magnetic poles (either two
norths or two souths) will always repel each other. In this diagram, we have color-coded the magnets so the north poles
are red and the south poles are blue. However, in real life, magnets can be many different colors (for example, if they are
painted), and the north and south poles might look the same.
The push or pull between two magnets is called the magnetic force. The magnetic force can be used to make an object
hover above the ground by pushing against its weight. An object has weight due to gravity pulling on its mass. All
physical objects that take up space have mass. Gravity is what keeps us from floating off into space by pulling us down to
the surface of Earth. Interestingly, gravity is different on different planets; for example, Mars has less gravity than Earth
because it is smaller (which means if you were on Mars, you could jump a lot higher!). So, while an object's mass is the
same on each planet, an object's weight is different on each planet.
- Ruler
- Plastic cups (2), 8 oz or 16 oz
- Extra cup or glass to pour water
- Measuring cup with milliliter (mL) markings or a kitchen scale that can measure grams
Hovering is also referred to as "levitation," so making an object hover above the ground using magnets is called magnetic
levitation, or maglev for short. Some high-speed trains actually use magnetic levitation, meaning they float above the
track using magnets, and do not actually use wheels! A diagram of the model train you will build in this science project is
shown in Figure 2 below.
- Optional: Sandpaper to sand the wooden block into a train shape
- Optional: Paint and paint brushes to decorate the train
Summary
Prerequisites
None
Safety
When working with magnets, keep them away from your mouth, and away from small children
and pets.
Abstract
While trains that fly through the air might still be science fiction, trains that float just above the tracks without actually
touching them are real and are actually used in a few countries today. This technology is called magnetic levitation. In this
physics science project, you will build your own levitating train model and test how much weight it can hold before it stops
hovering above the tracks.
Objective
Test the amount of weight that a magnetic levitating train can hold.
Introduction
Have you ever seen a science fiction movie or show where vehicles hover just above the ground without touching it?
Phys_p093_20131216.pdf
DOW-2100-KIT
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Magnet&oldid=550867925 (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Magnet&oldid=550867925)
neoK12. (n.d.). Magnetism. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://www.neok12.com/Magnetism.htm
(http://www.neok12.com/Magnetism.htm)
Science Kids (n.d.). Fun Magnet Facts for Kids. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/magnets.html (http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/magnets.html)
Here are some references about mass and gravity:
Costello, Ken. (n.d.). Measuring Temperature, Mass, Volume and Density. Retrieved May 1, 2013 from
http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM130W/02-MMM/Measure/Measuring.htm (http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM130W/02MMM/Measure/Measuring.htm)
Note: Scroll down to the part of the table labeled "Mass".
Rader, Andrew. (n.d.). Gravity. Rader's Physics4Kids. Retrieved May, 2013, from
http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_gravity.html (http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_gravity.html)
Here are some references about maglev trains:
Wikipedia contributors. (2013, April 23). Maglev. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maglev&oldid=551798391 (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maglev&oldid=551798391)
Kids Web Japan. (n.d.). Japan's Maglev Train. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://webjapan.org/kidsweb/hitech/maglev/ (http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/hitech/maglev/)
Figure 2. A diagram of the maglev train model you will build in this science project (left) next to a picture of the actual
model train (right). The magnetic force between the tracks and the magnets on the train pushes up against the train's
weight, which allows it to float above the tracks. Notice how we have used red and blue to indicate the north and south
poles of the magnets again (like in Figure 1), but in the actual photo on the right, the magnets just look black.
The train, however, cannot carry an unlimited amount of weight; the magnets can only supply a limited amount of force
depending on how strong they are. Eventually, if you add too much weight to the train, it will sink down and touch the
tracks. In this physics science project, you will build your own maglev train model and see how much weight it can hold
before sinking to the tracks.
Bosnor, Kevin. (n.d.). How Maglev Trains Work. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from
http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/maglev-train.htm
(http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/maglev-train.htm)
Experimental Procedure
1. Follow the instructions that came with your Magic Bullet Train kit to assemble the train with the help of an adult. If
you are going to shape and decorate your train, now is the time to use your sandpaper and paint. Be sure you
allow some time for your paint to dry. Important: Make sure you screw the plastic angles as close as possible to
the bottom of the wooden block; this will prevent the belly of the train from scraping against the top of the track.
Terms and Concepts
Magnet
Magnetic field
Magnetic pole
Magnetic force
Weight
Gravity
Mass
Magnetic levitation
Maglev
Average
Questions
What is a magnet?
How can magnets be used to make things levitate?
How much weight do you think your maglev train will hold before it sinks?
Bibliography
Here are some references about magnets:
Woodford, Chris. (2012, August 2). Magnetism. Explain That Stuff! Retrieved May 2, 2013, from
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/magnetism.html (http://www.explainthatstuff.com/magnetism.html)
Wikipedia contributors. (2013, April 23). Magnet. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from
Phys_p093_20131216.pdf
Figure 3. The completed maglev train resting on its track.
If you are using sandpaper to make your wooden block into a train shape, be sure to leave a flat surface in the middle on
top of the train; you will need a place on which to put the plastic cup later.
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Dowling Magnets, the maker of the Magic Bullet Train kit, has a helpful instructional video:
Trial
Watch this instructional video from Dowling Magnets on how to assemble your Magic Bullet Train kit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G7c6U0nittw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Mass of water (grams [g])
Part of train that touched track first
1
feature=player_embedded&v=G7c6U0nittw)
2
2. Center and place one of your plastic cups on the top of the train.
3. Slowly pour water into the plastic cup. Keep a close eye on the bottom of the train; it should start to get closer to
the track.
4. Continue to add water until the train just barely starts to touch the track. As soon as you see part of the train touch
the track, stop adding water. Keep in mind that your train might not stay perfectly level when it does finally touch
the track; it could tilt to one side, with only one corner touching the track. This is okay, just stop adding water as
soon as any part of the train touches the track. In your lab notebook, make sure you record how the train touches
the track; is it just one corner or edge, or does the whole bottom of the train touch the track evenly?
3
4
5
Table 1. An example data table for you to keep track of your results.
8. Repeat steps 2–7 four more times, starting with an empty plastic cup on top of the train each time. Be sure to
record your measurements and observations in your lab notebook.
9. Now, analyze your results. Have an adult help you calculate the average mass of water for your five trials.
Scientists like to calculate the average of their results because small changes in each trial mean you might not get
exactly the same number each time.
a. How much water did your train support on average?
b. Did the same part of the train always touch the track first, or were your results different for each trial?
Variations
The Magic Bullet Train kit contains several ring magnets. Can you use these magnets to make a magnetic "brake"
at the end of your track, to prevent the train from falling off (for example, if you give the train a good push, or tilt the
track so it slides downhill)? Hint: You should use a sturdy piece of cardboard or another block of wood to form a
"stop" at the end of the track, then attach one magnet to the train and one to the stop.
Related Links
Science Fair Project Guide (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_guide_index.shtml)
Other Ideas Like This (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/search.shtml?v=solt&pi=Phys_p093)
Physics Project Ideas (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/recommender_interest_area.php?ia=Phys)
My Favorites (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/recommender_show_favorites.php)
Figure 4. As you gradually add water to your plastic cup, your maglev train will sink closer to the tracks. Stop adding
water as soon as any part of the train touches the track, even if it is just a corner or an edge.
5. If your plastic cup is completely full and the train is still not touching the track, either add a second cup, or start
over using a larger cup.
6. Now it is time to take your measurements.
a. If you do not have a kitchen scale, pour the water from the plastic cup into the glass measuring cup and
measure its volume in milliliters (mL). One milliliter of water has a mass of one gram (1g), so you can use
the water's volume to figure out its mass. For example, 10 milliliters (mL) of water has a mass of 10 grams
(g).
b. If you have a kitchen scale, take the plastic cup off the train (do not pour the water out!) and use it to
measure the mass of the plastic cup, including the water.
7. Once you have determined the mass of the water, record this value in your lab notebook. Also record which part of
the train touches the track (corner only, edge only, entire bottom of train) Note: If you are not using a kitchen scale,
your calculation will not include the mass of the plastic cup, but you can assume the water itself is much heavier
than the cup, so this is okay as an approximation. You can use a data table like this one to record your results:
Phys_p093_20131216.pdf
If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:
Physicist
Physicists have a big goal in mind—to understand the nature of the entire universe and
everything in it! To reach that goal, they observe and measure natural events seen on
Earth and in the universe, and then develop theories, using mathematics, to explain
why those phenomena occur. Physicists take on the challenge of explaining events that
happen on the grandest scale imaginable to those that happen at the level of the
smallest atomic particles. Their theories are then applied to human-scale projects to bring people new technologies, like
computers, lasers, and fusion energy. Read more (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-engineeringcareers/Phys_physicist_c001.shtml)
DOW-2100-KIT
Physics Teacher
Our universe is full of matter and energy, and how that matter and energy moves and
interacts in space and time is the subject of physics. Physics teachers spend their days
showing and explaining the marvels of physics, which underlies all the other science
subjects, including biology, chemistry, Earth and space science. Their work serves to
develop the next generation of scientists and engineers, including all healthcare
professionals. They also help all students better understand their physical world and how it works in their everyday lives,
as well as how to become better citizens by understanding the process of scientific research. Read more
(http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-engineering-careers/Phys_physicsteacher_c001.shtml)
Credits
Ben Finio, PhD, Science Buddies
Last edit date: 2013-12-16
Contact Us
If you have purchased a kit for this project from Science Buddies, we are pleased to answer any question not addressed
by the FAQs on our site. Please email us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?
subject=The%20Amazing%20Floating%20Train:%20How%20Much%20Weight%20Can%20A%20Maglev%20Train%20Hold?)
after you have checked the
Frequently Asked Questions for this PI at http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_ideas/Phys_p093.shtml#help
In your email, please follow these instructions:
1. What is your Science Buddies kit order number?
2. Please describe how you need help as thoroughly as possible:
Examples
Good Question I'm trying to do Experimental Procedure step #5, "Scrape the insulation from the wire. . ." How do
I know when I've scraped enough?
Good Question I'm at Experimental Procedure step #7, "Move the magnet back and forth . . ." and the LED is not
lighting up.
Bad Question I don't understand the instructions. Help!
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