{"id":65564,"date":"2026-07-21T04:50:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T19:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phys-edu.net\/wp\/?p=65564"},"modified":"2026-07-21T04:50:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T19:50:04","slug":"a-motor-that-doesnt-spin-build-your-own-maglev-train-at-home-and-feel-the-physics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phys-edu.net\/wp\/?p=65564&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"A Motor That Doesn’t Spin? Build Your Own Maglev Train at Home and Feel the Physics!"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m Science Trainer Ken Kuwako. Every day is an experiment.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Back to the Special Feature Page<\/a><\/p>\n

Here’s a fun experiment you can even use for a science fair project to discover what powers a linear motor train.<\/p>\n

\"Let's<\/p>\n

What if someone told you there’s a vehicle that can travel at 600 km\/h (about 370 mph) without using wheels? Sounds unbelievable, right? Even more surprising, the same force that drives it can be recreated at home using nothing more than aluminum foil and a few magnets.<\/p>\n

A Motor That Doesn’t Spin? Meet the Linear Motor<\/h3>\n

Most trains move because their wheels rotate. A linear motor train, however, works in a completely different way. Instead of spinning wheels, it glides forward while floating above the track. As its name suggests, it uses a “linear” motor that creates motion in a straight line.<\/p>\n

An ordinary electric motor converts electricity into rotational motion. A linear motor skips the spinning altogether and produces straight-line motion from the start. Watching something move powerfully and smoothly as if pushed by an invisible hand is fascinating for both kids and adults.<\/p>\n

In this experiment, you’ll experience the same basic principle using just five simple materials. Grab some aluminum foil and magnets, and explore the invisible force behind one of the world’s fastest trains!<\/p>\n

Let’s Build a “Linear Motor Bar”!<\/h3>\n

In this activity, a thin aluminum foil tube\u2014the “bar”\u2014will suddenly shoot across a row of magnets at an amazing speed.<\/p>\n

Science Recipe:<\/h4>\n
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    • Aluminum foil<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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        • 10 or more ferrite magnets (available at most dollar stores)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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            • A plastic writing board or clipboard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                • Double-sided tape<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                    • Scissors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                      • One AA battery (or a hand-crank generator)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        How to Do the Experiment:<\/h4>\n

                        \u2460 Attach the magnets to the board.<\/p>\n

                        Use double-sided tape to stick the magnets in a straight line with all the south poles facing upward.<\/p>\n

                        \"20121127210047\"<\/p>\n

                        Use as many as you like, but 10 or more works best!<\/p>\n

                        \u2461 Flip the board over and attach the aluminum foil rails.<\/p>\n

                        \"20121127210046\"<\/p>\n

                        Cut two strips of aluminum foil about 1 cm wide. Turn the board over so the magnets face downward. Place the foil strips above the row of magnets so they form two parallel rails, then secure them with double-sided tape.<\/p>\n

                        \"20121127210044\"<\/p>\n

                        \"20121127210045\"<\/p>\n

                        \u2462 Make the “bar.”<\/p>\n

                        Using an empty ballpoint pen refill or something similar as a mold, roll a strip of aluminum foil into a tube about 5 cm long and roughly 5 mm in diameter. It doesn’t have to be exact.<\/p>\n

                        \"20121127210043\"<\/p>\n

                        Just roll it up nice and tight!<\/p>\n

                        \"20121127210042\"<\/p>\n

                        \u2463 Place the bar on the rails and send electricity through them.<\/p>\n

                        Set the aluminum tube across the rails and connect the battery.<\/p>\n

                        \"20110108042202\"<\/p>\n

                        A single 1.5 V battery is enough. As soon as current flows, the aluminum bar suddenly shoots forward at incredible speed! If you use a hand-crank generator, you can even control the speed by how fast you turn the handle. Check out the video below.<\/p>\n