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Magnetic Levitation
ClearlyExplained.Com
7th August 2002

by Richard Conan-Davies BSc Dip Ed

A straightforward and fast information
guide to magnetic levitation from
ClearlyExplained.Com

updated: 22 February 2009

The | What | Why | News | How | History | Future | of Magnetic Levitation

What is magnetic levitation?

Essentially it is the use of magnetic fields (or magnetic forces) to levitate a (usually) metallic object.

By manipulating magnetic fields and controlling their forces an object can be levitated.

more

 

The word 'levitation' comes from
the latin word 'levis' meaning 'light'.

source: dictionary.com


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Why is magnetic levitation important?

Magnetic levitation is useful in a variety of applications. Simply levitating an object immediately suggests a number of things:

  • Transport systems eg magnetically levitated trains.
  • Moving of metallic objects in the steel industry using so-called magnetic floaters.
  • Possible military applications eg the so-called Rail-gun. see also GLUBCO

Understanding the principles of magnetic levitation may lead to some innovative solutions to problems.

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News about magnetic levitation.

Most news about magnetic levitation is related to developments in magnetically levitated train systems.

Some reliable and quality assured sources of general information about magnetic levitation:

US:

UK/Europe:

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How does magnetic levitation work?

Nature of magnetic levitation
ClearlyExplained.Com

This covers the basic principle of magnetic levitation

Technology of magnetic levitation
ClearlyExplained.Com

This is the practical technological application of magnetic levitation.

Another method for magnetic levitation is by balancing the forces of attraction. for example in magnetically levitated globes or pens.

Then there is the use of superconductors that repel a magnetic field.


There are a few types of magnetic levitation. These are usually defined by the way the magnetic fields are created and how they interact with the other magnetic fields.

There are different types of magnetism

  • Permanent magnets
  • electromagents
  • superconductive magnet

Just remember, its like poles repel. These magnets can also be created using an electric current to create an electromagnet.

  

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What is the history of magnetic levitation?

Magnetic levitation is related more to the history of magnetism itself. It started in ancient times in an area of asia minor known as Magnesia. This region contained rocks that would attract each other. These naturally occuring rocks were named after the region and called 'magnets'.

Magnetite is a natually occuring mineral that is permanently magnetised and is also called a 'Load stone'

Reference: A Dictionary of Earth Science

 

The first magnetically levitated train system was developed in japan in the 1970s. It was tested a few years later and reached a speed of around 300km/h. This train used a system of superconducting magnets on the train with the rails acting as

References:

Laffert, P. and Rowe, (ed) J. Dictionary of science,2nd Ed.(1999) Hutchinson , Helicon.

Giancoli, D.C. (1991) Physics-principles with applications.Prentice Hall International Editions

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The future of magnetic levitation

 

Magnetic levitation is a phenomena that is likely to have considerable potential in the future. Particularly through the use of superconductive levitation.

A new idea for magentic levitation is in the use of storage of energy. Very basically it uses a rotating ring (flywheel) that stores (kinetic) moving energy which can be 'extracted'

Reference: US department of Energy

 

 

 

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