maglev: can trains defy physics?

CAN TRAINS

DEFY PHYSICS?

CAN TRAINS

DEFY PHYSICS?

Can a train stick to a track yet, somehow, fly above it? Can a train go slower

than an aircraft yet, somehow, get you to your destination faster? Are the

laws of physics really just general guidelines? And can we beat them? Let’s

start by answering a question…

ARE PLANES FASTER

FOR LONG DISTANCE?

say, Mumbai-Jaipur (1,182km) or Mumbai-Delhi (1,449km)

ARE PLANES FASTER

FOR LONG DISTANCE?

say, Mumbai-Jaipur (1,182km) or Mumbai-Delhi (1,449km)

A Mumbai-Delhi train generally takes 2 hours in flight. Add to that the 1-hr

early reporting time and time spent in related activities. It works out to more

than three hours. How about a train that can get you there in lesser time?

What would such a train look like? Here’s a hint…

NO

We have dreamed of technology like a hoverboard. But we don’t have it so far.

Image (Hoverboard): http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/Hoverboard%201.png

NONO

Nor do we have the flying car, oft cited in science fiction books and movies.

Image (hover car): http://somekillerstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/audi-calamaro-concept-flying-car-2.jpg?9d7bd4

Forget boards and cars… let’s make trains fly.

- Prof. Eric LaithwaiteLate 1940s(Not a real quotation)

Yet one morning a person woke up, and probably said:

NONO YES!

And today, we already have such trains. Hover trains? A cross between a train and a plane!

Image (flying train): http://blog.gamesdaypodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ss_1ea1e08f369544ea58c763d4f3d0a0485037ee8c.jpg

SO HOW DOES A

TRAIN DEFY PHYSICS?

STEP 1

DUMP CONVENTIONAL

WISDOM

Forget everything you

know about a train. How it

works, what components it

is supposed to have,

everything.

Image: http://i.bnet.com/blogs/central-japan-railway-yamanashi-maglev-test-track.jpg

STEP 2

DUMP THE WHEELS

STEP 2

DUMP THE WHEELS

In the place of wheels we

use powerful electro-

magnets that can make the

train literally float in thin

air. They can do this in

three ways. Of these, the

second in the picture is the

most common.

Image: http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/211_fall2002.web.dir/Adam_Caswell/mag%20lev%20diagram.gif

STEP 3

DUMP THE ENGINE

STEP 3

DUMP THE ENGINE

Such a train doesn’t need a

conventional engine. The

propulsion system is in the

tracks. The tracks feature a

series of magnets whose

polarity changes rapidly.

Some magnets on the train

repel those on the track

while some attract, pulling

the train forward.

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maglev_Propulsion.svg

SUCH A TRAIN IS CALLED

MAGLEV.

SO DOES A PHYSICS DEFYING

TRAIN HAVE ADVANTAGES?

SO DOES A PHYSICS DEFYING

TRAIN HAVE ADVANTAGES?

answer: it does.

1. SPEED

Fastest car: 429 km/h (Bugatti Veyron Super Sport)Fastest wheeled train: 574 km/h (V150, France)Maglev: 581 km/h (MLX01, Japan)Boeing 787: 950 km/h

But the real kicker is – while the V150 required a total track length of 149.7 km to complete its record setting run, the Maglev train did it in 18.4 km.

2. EFFICIENCY

Cost of running a:Car: 59.6 cents/miAirplane: 13 cents/miMaglev: 4 cents/mi

Maglev is 200% more efficient than airplanes!

Sources: http://newsroom.aaa.com/2012/04/cost-of-owning-and-operating-vehicle-in-u-s-increased-1-9-percent-according-to-aaa%E2%80%99s-2012-%E2%80%98your-driving-costs%E2%80%99-study/http://www.maglev2000.com/works/how-08.html#Question1

3. NOISE

23% less noise than HSR at the same speed!

Source: http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~vuchic/maglev-debate.pdf

4. LOW MAINTENANCE

5. MORE COMFORTABLE

6. ALL WEATHER

7. STEEPER CLIMBS

BUT THERE ARE, OF

COURSE, DOWNSIDES

1. COST OF

CONSTRUCTION

Airplane: $0/kmHSR: $12.9mn/kmMaglev: $43.6mn/km

Maglev costs 3.38x HSR cost

2. PSYCHOACOUSTIC

NATURE OF NOISE

3. LACK OF BACKWARD

COMPATIBILITY

4. FEAR OF RADIATION

IMPLEMENTATIONS

OF MAGLEV

MAGLEV

currently runs in

• Japan

• China

• South Korea

is being considered in

• USA• Australia• Malaysia• UK• Iran• Venezuela• India

MAYBE SOMEDAY INDIA

WILL DEFY PHYSICS

GET IN TOUCH

Vezance XocobsE: vezance@gmail.comT: @vezance