Q: What does maglev
mean?
A: Maglev is short for magnetic levitation(漂浮）,
which means that these trainswill float over a guideway(导轨）
using the basic principles of magnets to replace the old steel
wheel and track trains.
Q: What
is guideway and how does it work?
A: The magnetized coil([电]线圈) running
along the track, called a guideway, repels the large magnets
on the train's undercarriage (车盘),
allowing the train to levitate(飘浮)
between 0.39 and 3.93 inches (1 to 10 cm) above the guideway.
Oncethe train is levitated, power is supplied to the coils
within the guideway walls to create a unique system of magnetic
fields that pull and push the train along the guideway.
The electric current supplied to the coils in the guideway
walls is constantly alternating to change the polarity (极性)
of the magnetized coils. This change in polarity
causes the magnetic field（磁场） in
front of the train to pull the vehicle forward, while the
magnetic field behind the train adds more forward thrust
(推力).
Q: How
many components are there to a maglev train rail system?
A: The magnetic field created in this wire-and-battery experiment
is the simple idea behind a maglev train rail system. There
are three components to this system:
A large electrical power source Metal coils lining a guideway
or track Large guidance magnets attached to the underside
of the train.
Q: What
is the difference between a maglev train and a conventional
(常规的，传统的) train?
A: The big difference between a maglev train and a conventional
train is that maglev trains do not have an engine ?nbsp;at
least not the kind of engine used to pull typical train
cars along steel tracks. The engine for maglev trains is
rather inconspicuous（不显眼的，不引人注意的).
Instead of using fossil fuels (矿物燃料),
the magnetic field created by the electrified coils in the
guideway walls and the track combine to propel (推进) the
train.
Q: How
fast can maglev trains travel?
A: Maglev trains float on a cushion of air
(气垫), eliminating friction (摩擦).
This lack of friction and the trains' aerodynamic (空气动力学的)
designs allow these trains to reach unprecedented (空前的)
ground transportation speeds of more than 500 kph. In comparison,
a Boeing-777 commercial airplane used for long-range flights
can reach a top speed of about 789 kph. Once manufacturers
can prove that maglev trains can transport passengers safely
at such high speeds, maglev trains could become an ideal
alternative to airplanes. Developers say that they will
likely link cities that are up to 1,609 km apart. At 500
kph, you could travel from Paris to Rome in just over two
hours.
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