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Medium⏱ time40 min$ cost10

Electromagnetic Train

A battery wrapped in magnets shoots through a bare-copper coil tunnel like a tiny maglev train.

Start building ↓
fig — working model Result first

The build

Step 01

Wind the track

Coil copper wire tightly around a pencil to make a long, even tube.

Step 02

Build the train

Stick two magnets on each end of the AAA battery.

Step 03

Insert it

Drop the magnet-battery into the coil tunnel.

Step 04

Launch

The train accelerates through the coil on its own.

Working Principle

The battery drives current through the coil between the magnets, creating a magnetic field that pushes the magnets — and the whole train — forward.

The science behind it

A closer look

Each magnet's contact feeds current into a few loops of coil; that current's field repels one magnet and attracts the other, producing continuous thrust.

Take it further

Variables to test

  • 1 Reverse the magnets on one end — does it stall?
  • 2 Wind a tighter coil. Does the train go faster?

More Physics