Can magnets hold a train in the air with no wheels touching the track? When two north poles face each other, they push apart. This repulsion (pushing force) is strong enough to float a small platform above a pair of magnetic strips.
You build a wooden track with magnet strips running along both edges. A foam-core platform carries matching magnets on its underside. The north poles all face the same way. The platform hovers about a quarter inch above the track.
Give the platform a gentle push and it glides from one end to the other. Disk magnets at each end act as bumpers that bounce the platform back. The design mirrors real MAGLEV trains in development worldwide.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the like poles of magnets will repel.
Magnetism can push other magnets away. When two north poles face each other, they push apart with enough force to float a foam-core platform above a wooden track lined with magnetic strips. The platform hovers about a quarter inch up and glides from one end to the other when given a gentle push.
When two north poles face each other, they push apart. That repulsion (pushing force) is strong enough to float a small platform above a pair of magnetic strips. You build a wooden track with magnet strips running along both edges and a foam-core platform with matching magnets on its underside. The north poles all face the same way. The platform hovers about a quarter inch above the track. Give it a gentle push and it glides from one end to the other, bouncing back off disk magnets at each end.
When like poles face each other, they push apart. That push is strong enough to float a foam-core platform above a wooden track lined with magnetic strips. You build the track with magnet strips along both edges and matching magnets on the underside of the platform, all north poles facing the same way. The platform hovers about a quarter inch up. Give it a gentle push and it glides smoothly from end to end, bouncing back off disk magnets that act as bumpers at each end.
Method & Materials
You will build a platform that floats above a pair of magnetic tracks, and can be gently pushed to one end or the other.
You will need two magnet strips, a piece of wood shelving, a piece of Plexiglas, foam-core board, and ceramic magnets.
MEL Physics — hands-on physics experiment kits delivered monthly — real experiments, not just reading. (Affiliate link)
This experiment demonstrates the like poles repelling principle of magnetics. The magnets used in this experiment show that the platform can float above the tracks.
Why do this project?
This science project is unique because it is similar in concept to the MAGLEV trains which are being worked on in Germany, Japan and France.
Also Consider
Experiment variations to consider include changing the size of the magnets, or the distance between the magnets.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.
