MAGNETIC LEVITATION CHALLENGE
image source:http://www.smtdc.com/en
"Shanghai Magnetic Levitation Demonstration Operation Line" is a magnetic levitation train line that operates in Shanghai, China. It is notable for being the first commercial high-speed Maglev line in the world — during a test run on November 12, 2003, a Maglev vehicle achieved a Chinese record speed of 501 km/h (311 mph).
Using prefabricated CPEP kits, students are challenged to design, construct, evaluate, test and enter a "Maglev" vehicle that transports passengers in the CPEP Day competition. Through this hands-on design and construction challenge students will understand and be able to state the Universal law of Gravity and demonstrate an understanding of it; and define and demonstrate what magnetic “attraction” and magnetic “repulsion” is. Students will also be able to explain what a “magnetic field” is, and relate it to magnets, as well as Maglev vehicles and a Maglev track. Students will describe at least three benefits of the use of Maglev vs. diesel trains and be able to demonstrate an understanding of open and closed electrical circuitry if participating in the electric Maglev event.
image source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Solenoid.svg CORE CONCEPTS OF THE MAGLEV CHALLENGE
Review the information below to learn more about these core concepts of physics and how they apply to the CPEP MAGLEV Challenge.
Electrical Circuit: An electrical circuit is an unbroken loop of conductive material that allows electrons to flow through continuously without beginning or end. For more information see:http://www.andythelwell.com/blobz/guide.html
Magnetic Attraction: An attracting force that occurs when two similar poles of two magnets are placed facing each each other, such as negative to positive or positive to negative is called magnetic attraction. For more information see: http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/index.html
Magnetic Field: A magnetic field is an invisible force that is responsible for the most notable property of a magnet: a force that pulls on other ferromagnetic materials like iron and attracts or repels other magnets. An electromagnet force is made from a coil of wire which acts as a magnet when an electric current passes through it, but stops being a magnet when the current stops. For more information see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet
Magnetic Levitation: Anyone who has ever handled magnets knows that opposite poles attract and similar poles repel, which happens to be the fundamental basis of electromagnetic propulsion.Magnetic levitation falls into two categories: electromagnetic suspension (EMS) and electrodynamic suspension (EDS). In electrodynamic suspension, superconducting magnets on both the track and the rail car exert opposing magnetic fields and the repelling forces suspend the rail car. Electromagnetic suspension works the opposite way, using the attraction of electromagnets beneath the rail to keep the train elevated above the track. In each case, the rail cars are suspended on a magnetic cushion about a half-inch above the tracks. For more information see:http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/museum/maglevtrains.html.
Magnetic Repulsion: A repelling force that occurs when two different poles of two magnets are placed facing each each other, such as negative to negative or positive to positive is called magnetic repulsion. For more information see: http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/index.html
Universal law of Gravity: Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that every massive particle in the universe attracts every other massive particle with a force which is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. For more information see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_law_of_universal_gravitation
Is MAGLEV Rocket Science and is it safe? To find out watch: http://www.parallaxfilm.com/promo/maglev/
Will MAGLEV be the solution to our transportation needs in the future? For more information read: http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/Summer03/maglev2.html
Magnetic Attraction: An attracting force that occurs when two similar poles of two magnets are placed facing each each other, such as negative to positive or positive to negative is called magnetic attraction. For more information see: http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/index.html
Magnetic Field: A magnetic field is an invisible force that is responsible for the most notable property of a magnet: a force that pulls on other ferromagnetic materials like iron and attracts or repels other magnets. An electromagnet force is made from a coil of wire which acts as a magnet when an electric current passes through it, but stops being a magnet when the current stops. For more information see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet
Magnetic Levitation: Anyone who has ever handled magnets knows that opposite poles attract and similar poles repel, which happens to be the fundamental basis of electromagnetic propulsion.Magnetic levitation falls into two categories: electromagnetic suspension (EMS) and electrodynamic suspension (EDS). In electrodynamic suspension, superconducting magnets on both the track and the rail car exert opposing magnetic fields and the repelling forces suspend the rail car. Electromagnetic suspension works the opposite way, using the attraction of electromagnets beneath the rail to keep the train elevated above the track. In each case, the rail cars are suspended on a magnetic cushion about a half-inch above the tracks. For more information see:http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/museum/maglevtrains.html.
Magnetic Repulsion: A repelling force that occurs when two different poles of two magnets are placed facing each each other, such as negative to negative or positive to positive is called magnetic repulsion. For more information see: http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/index.html
Universal law of Gravity: Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that every massive particle in the universe attracts every other massive particle with a force which is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. For more information see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_law_of_universal_gravitation
Is MAGLEV Rocket Science and is it safe? To find out watch: http://www.parallaxfilm.com/promo/maglev/
MAGNETIC LEVITATION (MAGLEV) CHALLENGE
Challenge: Using prefabricated CPEP kits, high school students are challenged to design, construct, evaluate, test and enter a Maglev vehicle in the CPEP Day competition.
Core Outcomes: High School students will understand and be able to state the Universal law of Gravity and demonstrate an understanding of it; and define and demonstrate what magnetic “attraction” and magnetic “repulsion” is. Students will be able to explain what a “magnetic field” is, and relate it to magnets, as well as Maglev vehicles and a Maglev track. Students will also be able to describe how a magnetic levitation vehicle benefits the environment.
Rules: Each high school student team will build a Maglev vehicle using the chassis components provided by CPEP. Each vehicle must incorporate a body that is constructed from recyclable materials. The body design must also contain a compartment for three passengers (ping pong balls). This compartment must retain its shape with or without the passengers, and these passengers must be easily loaded/unloaded by the Maglev judges on CPEP Day. The vehicle will be disqualified if it loses a passenger while being track tested. All vehicles must fit within a 12”(30.4cm) cube.
Each kit will contain the following items to construct the chassis:
- (1) Plastic “U” Channel
- (2) Plastic “J” Channels
- (4) Magnets
Electric Motor Powered Maglev:
· (1) Electric Motor
· (1) 3” Propeller
· (2) 6” long, 24ga Copper Coated Steel Wires
Rubber Band Propeller Powered Maglev:
· (1) 5” Propeller
· (1) 3/16” x 7/16” x 10 ½” Propeller Support
· (1) 7” Rubber Band
Each school will be provided with a 5-foot Maglev test track for trial runs. A ten-foot long track will be used during the CPEP Day competition.
Maglev Categories and Rules: Students may choose one of the following categories for the Maglev challenge. We suggest that students start with building a Gravity Powered Maglev vehicle.
- Gravity Powered
- Wind Powered
- Rubber Band Propeller Powered
- Electric Motor Powered
Gravity Powered Maglev: Students can use their creativity to test various designs that include additional weights, and their placement.
Rubber Band Propeller Maglev: Students must use the propeller, propeller support, and rubber band supplied in the kit. Sails or wings are not permitted.
Electric Motor Maglev: Students must use the motor and propeller supplied in the kit. Vehicles can be tested by using a 9-Volt battery to supply power to the 5’ test track.
Judging and Scoring: Each team will be allowed two trial runs for each category of Maglev vehicle. Electronic timers will be used to determine the fastest trial for each team.
Prototype Maglev: An award will be given for a Prototype Maglev project that uses the same specifications mentioned previously, but incorporates environmentally sensitive chassis materials as well
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