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Electromagnetic Train
Moderators: kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators
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Symsymer13
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2025 6:38 pm
- Occupation: Student
Electromagnetic Train
Hello, I am trying to do a project on how magnets in electromagnetic trains affect the speed, but I can't find a project that can represent that. Even if I try to find something close to it so I can just add the extra steps to the procedure, no website or place has a procedure specific enough for me to use. Can you help me?
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bfinio
- Expert
- Posts: 964
- Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:41 pm
- Occupation: Lead Staff Scientist, Science Buddies
- Project Question: Expert
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Electromagnetic Train
Hi - the two projects on our site that come closest to what you need would be these:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ain-weight
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ass-driver
The first is a simple "maglev train" that uses magnets to float above the track, but there is no magnetic propulsion. It just uses permanent magnetic tape, there are no electromagnets that can be turned on and off.
The second is a "mass driver," sometimes also called a gauss rifle, that uses electromagnetic coils to propel a projectile through a tube. This requires careful timing of turning the coils on and off - an electronic sensors called Hall effect sensors are used to detect the projectile, and a microcontroller board (an Arduino) turns the coils on and off at the right times.
Real maglev/electromagnetic trains are sort of a combination of these two projects. They use magnets to float above the tracks instead of resting on wheels, and electromagnets that turn on and off propel the trains forward.
I'm not totally sure what exactly you wanted to do for your project on "how magnets in electromagnetic trains affect the speed." Building a working model maglev train (that both floats AND is propelled by magnets) would be a pretty advanced project. But hopefully the projects listed above might give you some ideas to get started.
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ain-weight
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ass-driver
The first is a simple "maglev train" that uses magnets to float above the track, but there is no magnetic propulsion. It just uses permanent magnetic tape, there are no electromagnets that can be turned on and off.
The second is a "mass driver," sometimes also called a gauss rifle, that uses electromagnetic coils to propel a projectile through a tube. This requires careful timing of turning the coils on and off - an electronic sensors called Hall effect sensors are used to detect the projectile, and a microcontroller board (an Arduino) turns the coils on and off at the right times.
Real maglev/electromagnetic trains are sort of a combination of these two projects. They use magnets to float above the tracks instead of resting on wheels, and electromagnets that turn on and off propel the trains forward.
I'm not totally sure what exactly you wanted to do for your project on "how magnets in electromagnetic trains affect the speed." Building a working model maglev train (that both floats AND is propelled by magnets) would be a pretty advanced project. But hopefully the projects listed above might give you some ideas to get started.