Level R
Summary: Maglev or magnetic levitation trains can move because of electromagnetism, which connects the train to a guideway or track.
Vocabulary:
commercial
present
conventional
maglev
electromagnets
guideway
friction
Focus Question: What are maglev trains, and what makes them unique?
Vocabulary:
The term maglev is a shortened form of magnetic levitation. What other words in this paragraph share the word part mag?
How does your understanding of this word part help you understand these words and their relationship to each other?
Key ideas:
How do maglev trains float?
Why can they go so fast?
Where and when did the first commercial maglev train run?
Text Features:
Look at the diagram of a maglev train. What reaction do the arrows represent?
Why is there space between the train and the guideway?
Connections:
How fast can the Shanghai Maglev Train go?
What is the relationship between this speed and friction?
Make Inferences:
Why are there so few maglev trains in use right now?
Compare and Contrast:
What did you learn about the difference between maglev trains and conventional trains?
Final Questions:
How do the photos and diagram help you understand how maglev trains travel?
What are the two main things that reduce the speed of maglev trains?
Are these things unique to maglev trains?