A MAGNET THAT DOESN’T STICK TO YOUR REFRIGERATOR SEEMS PRETTY USELESS RIGHT? NORMALLY WE USE THE OPPOSITE NORTH AND SOUTH POLES OF MAGNETS TO ATTRACT THEM TO EACH OTHER OR TO METAL OBJECTS, BUT ENGINEERS ARE USING THEM IN A DIFFERENT WAY. IT’S PRETTY COOL AND SUPER FAST!
RIGHT NOW 35 CITIES IN THE WORLD ARE FIGHTING TO BE THE FIRST PLACE WITH THE FASTEST TRAIN. AND OUR OWN STATE CAPITAL OF COLUMBUS IS AMONG THE FINALISTS WHERE THE NEW TRANSPORTATION COMPANY IS LOOKING TO BUILD. THE RAIL, WHICH LOOKS MORE LIKE A TUBE, IS CALLED HYPERLOOP.
IT WILL BE MUCH FASTER THAN ANY ROLLER COASTER YOU’VE EVER RIDDEN. 700 MILES PER HOUR FAST.
CHECK THIS OUT. PEOPLE WILL RIDE IN THE CARS OF THE TRAIN – CALLED PODS. THEY ARE LEVITATED OFF THE GROUND BY THE USE OF MAGNETS THAT ARE REPELLING EACH OTHER.
THEN THROUGH THE USE OF MORE MAGNETS THE PODS ARE PULLED AND PUSHED THROUGH A TUBE, ALL ALONG STILL JUST FLOATING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TUBE. THIS IS CALLED ELECTRIC PROPULSION AND IT IS ALSO BEING LOOKED AT TO SHOOT ROCKETS AND SATELLITES INTO SPACE.
TO KEEP THE POD MOVING AND CUT DOWN ON THE FRICTION, THE AIR IN THE TUBE HAS LESS PRESSURE. IT IS LIKE THE AIR THAT IS HALFWAY BETWEEN US AND SPACE, A BIT LIGHTER AND EASIER FOR PLANES TO TRAVEL THROUGH.
WHAT ELSE IS REALLY COOL- THE TUBES CAN BE BUILT ABOVE GROUND OR BURIED UNDERNEATH IT SO THERE WON’T BE ANY NEED TO STOP AT TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS. OH AND IT IS PRETTY CLEAN ENERGY. HYPERLOOP WON’T GIVE OFF ANY DIRTY POLLUTION INTO THE AIR!
IF THE HYPERLOOP IS BUILT IN COLUMBUS IT WILL CONNECT TO CHICAGO AND PITTSBURGH. IT COULD TAKE JUST A HALF HOUR TO GET TO CHICAGO INSTEAD OF FIVE AND A HALF HOURS BY CAR AND ONLY 15 MINUTES TO GET TO PITTSBURGH INSTEAD OF THREE.
ANYONE ELSE GETTING EXCITED? THE COMPANY BUILDING HYPERLOOP IS EXPECTING TO GET THE FIRST RAIL UP AND RUNNING BY 2021. FINGERS CROSSED COLUMBUS MAKES THE TOP OF THE LIST!
Instructional Links
Website Article: DK FindOut, High-speed Trains
Website Article: Science Kids, Vehicles, Train Facts for Kids