Magnetic levitation facts for kids
Magnetic levitation, maglev, or magnetic suspension is a method by which an object is suspended with no support other than magnetic fields. Magnetic force is used to counteract the effects of the gravitational acceleration and any other accelerations.
The two primary issues involved in magnetic levitation are lifting forces: providing an upward force sufficient to counteract gravity, and stability: ensuring that the system does not spontaneously slide or flip into a configuration where the lift is neutralized.
Magnetic levitation is used for maglev trains, contactless melting, magnetic bearings and for product display purposes.
Images for kids
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A superconductor levitating a permanent magnet
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The Transrapid system uses servomechanisms to pull the train up from underneath the track and maintains a constant gap while travelling at high speed
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Floating globe. Magnetic levitation with a feedback loop.
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Aluminium foil floating above the induction cooktop thanks to eddy currents induced in it.
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Permanent magnet stably levitated between fingertips
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Diamagnetic levitation of pyrolytic carbon
See also
In Spanish: Levitación magnética para niños
