- #1
Rebekah Barker
- 3
- 0
What would happen?
What speeds could a maglev train reach in a vaccum?
Click For Summary
SUMMARY
A maglev train in a vacuum, with superconducting rails and a perfectly straight, infinitely long track, could theoretically reach speeds of 0.6 to 0.8 times the speed of light, approximately 15,700 mph or 25,200 km/h. This scenario assumes a frictionless environment and the absence of gravitational forces. While the current record for maglev trains is around 600 km/h, the discussion highlights the potential for significantly higher speeds under ideal conditions, emphasizing the efficiency of maglev technology.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of maglev technology and its principles
- Knowledge of superconductivity and its applications
- Familiarity with the concept of vacuum environments in physics
- Basic grasp of relativistic physics and speed limits
- Research the principles of superconductivity in maglev systems
- Explore the physics of vacuum environments and their effects on motion
- Study the limitations of speed in relation to Einstein's theory of relativity
- Investigate current advancements in maglev technology and their potential applications
Physicists, engineers, transportation planners, and anyone interested in advanced transportation technologies and theoretical physics.
- #2
Drakkith
Mentor
- 23,198
- 7,678
What are your thoughts? What do you think would happen and why?
- #3
- 11,326
- 8,754
I think you mean more than a vacuum.
If you had maglev in a frictionless environment (vacuum),
and weightless (no gravity to overcome),
and a perfectly straight and infinitely long maglev rail,
and infinite time and distance to accelerate in,
and superconducting rails so that the electric driving wave does not decay,
then the maglev vehicle could travel as fast as the EM electric wave travels in the rail. Something on the order of 0..6-0.8 times light speed.
Even with that long list, there are probably even more qualifiers that I didn't think of.
If you had maglev in a frictionless environment (vacuum),
and weightless (no gravity to overcome),
and a perfectly straight and infinitely long maglev rail,
and infinite time and distance to accelerate in,
and superconducting rails so that the electric driving wave does not decay,
then the maglev vehicle could travel as fast as the EM electric wave travels in the rail. Something on the order of 0..6-0.8 times light speed.
Even with that long list, there are probably even more qualifiers that I didn't think of.
- #4
Inventive
- 85
- 12
Although I do not know how to calculate that right off the bat, I am curious about this question too. I am seeing a near frictionless environment when the train is in the vacuum. Can a vacuum in a finite space be thought of as a vector field which might influence the trains speed. Could there be a "negative vacuum" that could slow it down on demand?
- #5
Rebekah Barker
- 3
- 0
Drakkith said:
Well the top speed a maglev train has reached is around 600km/h so as there is near to no friction I think it could reach speeds of thousands of km/h. It would be extremely efficient but i don't think anything can 100% efficient. It would be able to reach extremely high speeds but I'm not sure what the limit would be. Yet it wouldn't be very convenient for a mode of transport haha.Drakkith said:
- #6
OmCheeto
Gold Member
- 2,500
- 3,482
I come up with ≈15,700 mph, which is ≈25,200 km/hr.
Many assumptions, of course.
Fun thought experiment!
Many assumptions, of course.
Fun thought experiment!
Similar threads
- · Replies 4 ·
High School
Any limit on how fast a Maglev can go?
- · Replies 33 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 10 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 4 ·
High School
How does this train work? (vid)
- · Replies 10 ·
- · Replies 4 ·
- · Replies 7 ·
- · Replies 10 ·