Levitation Science Fiction Essay

Jordan Pineda
Scheibner
Physics 008
Is Levitation Science Fiction?
When we talk about levitation we are talking about magnetic levitation, a more scientific view of levitation. Levitation is a kind of technology that uses magnetic levitation to propel vehicles with magnets instead of using wheels, axles, and bearings. This technology functions by the use of a repulsive force exerted between to superconductor materials such as magnets making the train suspend in the air. By having the train suspended in the air there will be no physical contact with any sort of material. The only force that the train uses will be focused in getting it to start moving and to thrust forward against the air. There will be little to no friction by using magnets

The repulsion is created by the force that is exerted by the magnetic fields of the materials which are inversely proportional in the distance between the separated objects. There is a major difficulty in using magnetic levitation, the system is unstable since the magnetic force isn’t at a point of equilibrium. In order to deal with the instability of the object there are configurations that allow a uniform movement that the train uses with the track that guides it. There are two Maglev trains systems, the first one is called electromagnetic suspension (EMS) and the second one is called electrodynamic suspension (EDS). EMS uses conventional electromagnets inside the train that helps it attract it to the steel track[1]. In the other hand EDS uses the force that is produced between the magnets of the train and the track, this system is able to generate a levitation of 15 centimeters giving the system an advantage of not having any physical contact with the train[2]. Even though EMS has a greater advantage it will need major spending since the magnets need to be constantly

The reasons that cause problems with the stabilization of the train with tracks vary in many ways. Some of those variations are the wind, the inertia when turns are made, the instability that is generated by the propulsion system. It can also influence the type of system that is being used such EMS which only produces separations of 1 centimeter between the train and the track that needs to be kept at this distance constantly by a computer in order to avoid collisions. In EDS it is not necessary to have control over it since the distances are large enough.
Magnetic Levitation used in Maglev systems will generate many advantages regarding the current transportation system such as like convenience, speed, economic, and its Eco friendliness. The technology is being analyzed in order to reach speeds that have never been achieved, letting people travel to unknown places in very reduced times. The stabilization is being controlled by the operators in order to ensure a smooth sailing in the Maglev system down the track.