Use of Magnetic Levitation For An Elevator
Use of Magnetic Levitation For An Elevator
Problem
The problem I want to address is that normal elevators
require continuous inputs of large amounts of energy and
have high maintenance costs.
I attempt to solve this problem by using the technology of
magnetic levitation to move an elevator.
This would be more energy efficient and cheaper to use and
maintain.
Question
If I change the strength of magnets in order to levitate an
elevator, what will happen to the height of the elevator?
Materials:
• 5 Wood Blocks, 5/8” x 1 3/8” x 6”
• 2 Large High Force Magnet Strips, 1/2” x 23 1/2”
• 2 Small High Force Magnet Strips, 1/2” x 5 7/8”
• 2 Large Simple Magnets, 1 3/4” x 1”
• 10 Simple Latch Magnets, 3/4” x 1”
• 4 Plastic Angles
• 30ml Contact Cement
• 1 Wooden Base
• 1 Compass
• 1 Silicone Tube
• 1 Ruler
• 1 Hand Saw
• 1 Utility Knife
Procedure
1. Two wooden blocks were attached to each other on ends
with contact cement to make one side of the elevator track.
2. Step #1 was repeated with two other wooden blocks to
make the other side of the elevator track.
3. The four plastic angles were attached to the sides of the
elevator tracks, 5/8” away from each other.
4. The hand saw was then used to cut the last wooden block
in half and made into an elevator shaft.
5. The two large and the two small magnetic strips were cut
in half with the utility knife.
6. The compass was used to find the north and south poles
of the magnetic strips.
7. The four large magnetic strips, with the south pole down,
were then applied to the plastic angles, on both tracks, with
contact cement, 5/8” away from each other.
8. The four smaller magnet strips were attached to each
side of the elevator with the south side down, 5/8” away
from each other.
9. The elevator tracks were then attached vertically with
contact cement, to the wooden base close enough so that
the elevator could levitate.
10. Silicone was placed on each of the tracks for stability.
11. One small latch magnet was attached magnet to the
bottom of the elevator with the south side down.
12. One large magnet was attached to the base of he
elevator track with the south side down.
13. The elevator was then levitated in between the tracks.
14. The height of the elevator from the base magnet was
then measured.
15. Step #14 was then repeated using different sizes and
number of the magnets.
Observations
Conclusion
In conclusion, when I changed the number of magnets at
the base of the track, the levitation of the elevator shaft
changed.
I discovered that as I increased the number of magnets, the
height of levitation increased, showing a direct relationship
between the two variables.
For example, with one base magnet, the levitation height
was 1.7 cm. With two large and eight small magnets, the
levitation height reached to 6.0 cm.
Therefore, the data supports my prediction, and I accept my
hypothesis.
I think this happened because when the number of magnets
increased, the force of repulsion between the opposite
poles of the elevator magnet and the base magnet
increased. This lead to the higher height of levitation.
The elevator was more difficult to levitate than the train
because of the addition of force of gravity on the elevator
shaft. I overcame this by adding a much larger magnet at
the base of the track and a small magnet at the bottom of
the elevator.
I also tried to add another magnet on the top of the elevator
shaft and tried to pull it with a similar assembly on top. This
was attempted to make the elevator move up and down
using the force of attraction. This however was not possible
as the force of attraction was not as easy to measure. The
force of repulsion could be quantified by a scale but the
force of attraction cannot.
Bibliography
Sites
• http://www.askanexpert.com/
• http://www.virtualsciencefair.com/
• http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=ping-
pong+ball
Books
• Parker, Lewis. Simple Machines. United States of
America: Perfection Learning®, 2006.
• Williams, John. Machines. England: Wayland (Publishers)
Ltd, 1991.