Is There More Resistance on a Magnetic Levitation Train or a Train on Wheels?

Overview

Objectives/Goals My project was to determine whether a magnetic levitation train has more or less resistance that a train on wheels. I believe that magnetic levitation train has less resistance. Methods/Materials I constructed a model train with magnets on one side and wheels on the other side attempting to keep the train symmetrical. I placed magnets on a circular plate creating a track for my train. I aligned a plastic sheet supported by golf tees to form a guardrail that the train could be guided with. I constructed a lever arm to push on the train using a roller skate bearing for rotation. I attached a scale to the lever arm to measure the amount of force needed to push the train. I made a cardboard surface to cover magnets that would be used to compare the train on wheels. I placed the magnetic train on the track and used the lever arm to push train around track at a constant speed. I recorded the scale readings at various locations along the track. For the wheeled experiment, I placed the cardboard on top of the magnets. I placed the wheeled train on the track and used the lever arm to push train around track at a constant speed. I recorded the scale readings at various locations along the track. Results The maglev train had consistently lower scale readings than the wheeled train. This demonstrated a lower resistance requirement to push the train. Conclusions/Discussion My conclusion is that the maglev train had less resistance, proving my hypothesis.

Competition history

• CSEF 2012 Electronics & Electromagnetics · Entry J0920

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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