Explain how gravitational, electrical and magnetic force act on a maglev train??? Please help I need to know...PLZ

Question

theeric · Answer

Hi! Do you have any thoughts to start with?

anonymous · Answer

i think that the gravity pulls the train down, but im confused with how electrical and magnetic force act with the maglev train

theeric · Answer

Okay! That is pretty much ALL that gravity does! :)

My knowledge of mag lev trains is limited, but I read a little and I know a little physics!

So, what pushes the train up? From what I read, they all start being pushed up by magnetic force. There are magnets on the train and magnets on the track. Eventually the train gets to a high speed due to magnetic force pushing it (which I'll get to in a second) and it gets lift like an airplane to stay afloat.

Electric force comes in because the track will have coils that an electrical potential difference (voltage across the coil) is required. I mean, there has to be some electrons being pushed by other electrons so that they all start moving! So there are a bunch of electrons on one end of the coil and a lack of electrons on the other side, so there is this difference in charge (and so the electrons have some potential energy to get to the other end of the coil). Naturally, the electrons repel each other on the side with electrons, so they all start moving. This is necessary as I said.

It is necessary, because the moving electrons create a magnetic field! A coil produces a stronger magnetic field. And this field can alternate direction with alternating current (so, alternating electron movement direction). That is a neat trick that I think is very similar to stepper motors. If so, I understand it :P

theeric · Answer

Do you have any questions?