Magnetic levitation, maglev, is a method by which an object is suspended or floated in the air with no support other than magnetic fields.

The fields are used to counteract the gravitational pull and any other counter acceleration. Magnetic levitation is applicable in maglev trains (and future cars), wind turbines and for products display.

Supplies

Materials Needed

Cardboard

Syringe

Measuring rulers

Rubber

Magnet

Nail

Can

Glue

Tools Needed

Scissors

To use these tool, adult supervision is required for children under the age 8

Step 1: Attaching the Pillars to the Box

Materials

Box (Length- 25cm, Width- 20cm and Height- 5cm)
Two measuring rulers

Step

Glue the rulers at the center of the width of the box as shown in the picture

Step 2: Making the Slab

Materials

Two measuring rulers
Two rubbers (Length- 4cm, width- 2.5cm)
One rubber (Length- 4cm, width- 5cm) with a hole of 1.5 cm diameter at the center
One syringe

Steps

Glue the rubbers in-between the rulers as arranged in the picture. Ensure that the arrangement is centralize and does not exceed 25cm
Insert the syringe into the hole of the middle rubber

Step 3: Attaching the Slab to the Pillars

Materials

One round rubber of 7.5cm diameter
One round magnet

Steps

Glue the magnet onto the round rubber
Centrally glue the rubber onto the syringe
Glue the slab in- between the pillars

Step 4: HOW IT WORKS

Any metallic object will levitate at a maximum point where the magnetic field is balanced with the gravitational pull and other forces like air resistance.

Just hold down any metallic object in the levitator, adjust the magnet to the point where the object is suspended as shown in the pictures.

In the case of the can, just hold it down on its vertex.

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