Maglev Trains And The Technology Behind Them

3526 Words8 Pages

Maglev Trains And The Technology Behind Them

Introduction

Magnets

Magnetism is a phenomenon that occurs when a moving charge exerts a

force on other moving charges. The magnetic force caused by these

moving charges sets up a field which in turn exerts a force on other

moving charges. This magnetic field is found to be perpendicular to

the velocity of the current. The force of the field decays with

distance from the charge. Most magnets we come across are weak

permanent magnets, such as fridge magnets and door catches. A

permanent magnet is a material that is naturally magnetic, they set up

magnetic fields by electrons circling an atom setting up magnetic

fields. They are based on oxides of barium and iron. They have low

field strength and would not be strong enough for use in Maglev

trains. Lately, developments in magnet research have found rare

earth-permanent magnets that have a much stronger magnetic field.

These new magnets have become an important part of our everyday life

being used in many everyday applications such as computers, CD players

and mobile phones. It is these high performance magnets that are used

in Maglev trains. The rare earth elements are scandium 21, yttrium 39

and lanthanide's 57-71.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The principle of a Maglev (Magnetic Levitation) train is that it

floats on a magnetic field and is propelled by a linear induction

motor. They follow guidance tracks with magnets and have been seen to

have great potential in the transport world.

[IMAGE]An example of a maglev train from http://www.newscientist.com

Simple Theory

...

... middle of paper ...

...rails.org/tMspages/TPMagIntro.html

Useful site giving me the clear definitions between EDS and EMS as

well as pictures

http://www.transrapid.de/

Used for info and history on German and Chinese projects.

Advancing Physics A2 book.

Used for equations for magnets and information on electromagnets

www.trymegaessays.com

---------------------

Used for information of superconductor problems detailed magnet theory

and maglev information. Not written well too confusing.

Physics World magazine

Used for initial info Maglev

Encyclopaedia Britannica 11

Used for small amount of advanced info on magnets. Repulsion picture

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/Levitation/levitation.html

Earnshaw theorem info

The Complete A-Z of Physics handbook

Equations and magnet theory

More about Maglev Trains And The Technology Behind Them

Open Document