Science Series Flying Trains Could Be Coming Our Way! Level 4 Level 4 Interactions Interactions
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Flying Trains Could Be Coming Our Way! Interactions Level 4 6 Technology Interesting Information A train is a form of rail transport consisting of a series of connecting carriages or cars that generally run along a railway track to transport passengers or cargo. The first train in the world was steam-powered and built in 1804. Whizz ... Jessie, I’ll start looking for you at the count of 100. 98, 99, 100 ... Ready or not, here I come! She must be around here! Ah, there she is! Hup Lick Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd All Rights Reserved
Interactions Level 4 7 Interesting Information The world’s first high-speed rail system was built in Japan and started operation in 1964. This bullet train is the first of Japan’s now world-famous Shinkansen train system network. Jessie, I know where you are! Huh? How did this place come about? There’s no way out of this cave. It looks like an ultra modern metropolis. Ah, Jessie is over there! Jessie, where are you going? Hup Lick Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd All Rights Reserved
Interactions Level 4 8 Interesting Information The Shanghai Maglev is at present the fastest train in the world. Its maximum operating speed is about 430 kilometres per hour. Maglev is an abbreviation for magnetic levitation, meaning suspension or floating of an object by the force of magnetism. I must move faster to catch up with her. How come a train is taking off like an airplane? Sir, this train is leaving in two minutes. Kindly remain seated and fasten your seat belt. Why is she going into that building? It looks like a subway station. Whir ... Hup Lick Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd All Rights Reserved
Interactions Level 4 9 Interesting Information The aerial train system was designed by an architectural firm called Dahir Insaat in Turkey, founded by a Russian engineer Dahir Semenov. This firm is renowned for its futuristic design concepts for large quadcopters and robotic automaton. I’m surprised that you’ve never travelled in a flying train living in the year 2050. Jessie, don’t you think this game of hide and seek has gone far enough? I beg your pardon? You must have mistaken me for someone else! Excuse me, why is this train still flying at such a low altitude after taking off for quite a while? This flying train has to levitate over a rail guideway as it travels to its destination. She mentioned the year 2050. Did I accidentally cross the time barrier into the year 2050? Hup Lick Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd All Rights Reserved
Interactions Level 4 10 Interesting Information The aerial train concept is designed to provide mass transportation by drawing power from a magnetic tether attached to the guideway track below it. It can fly at a speed of 600 kilometres per hour. This high-tech train’s motto is ‘Flying low and riding high’. Photo Source: hookedontech.com Although it may not fly as fast as an aeroplane, it can reach a maximum speed of 600 kilometres per hour. It’s at least three times faster than conventional trains. Come with me to the buffet section. Wow, this buffet section looks more like a posh restaurant! It has the capacity to carry 2,000 passengers for each journey. The flying train operates on the principle of magnetic levitation. The train is propelled along over a guidance railway track made of magnets. Hup Lick Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd All Rights Reserved
Interactions Level 4 11 Interesting Information Although the concept is plausible, some sustainable transportation experts opine that flying trains are not likely to take flight any time soon. Instead of experimenting and fine-tuning the conceptual flying train designs, it is more cost effective and practical to improve on the existing transportation technology and infrastructure to meet the future challenges in the transportation industry. Photo Source: Dahir Insaat This flying train is such a sophisticated piece of technology. I could never have imagined having lunch in a flying train before I met you. Oh, is that why you’re so friendly towards me? To be honest, I’m a time-traveller from the year 2020. Excuse me, I find it hard to continue talking with a delusional stranger! What’s keeping Black Phantom from finding me? On the other side of the time barrier ... Lady, I can’t help saying that you are the spitting image of my friend. Hup Lick Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd All Rights Reserved
The Concepts Behind Flying Trains Interactions Level 4 12 The flying train concept is designed on a combined system of getting the craft up into the air and also travelling on the ground along railway tracks upon reaching the platform of a train station. Flying trains can offer an alternative to conventional train and even commercial aeroplane travellers for cross-country journeys. The flying train concept is unique in the sense that it can ferry at a higher speed, compared to conventional trains. It should be able to meet the future demands of the transportation industry in an ever-growing world population. Photo Source: Dahir Semenov Hup Lick Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd All Rights Reserved
Interactions Level 4 13 Science Education Extension: Enter and key in “Flying train. Dahir Insaat” (reprint YouTube) The Clipair is an innovative flying machine with wings and a special capsule attached to the main body of the vehicle. Each capsule can be detached from the vehicle independently as required. The Martin Aircraft Company of New Zealand has designed a working jetpack for search and rescue missions. The jetpack is meant for a single-person and operates by a petrol engine using two-ducted fans to provide lift. The semi-autonomous bus is a self-driving bus of the future. It navigates by using cameras and radar. Besides having lower fuel consumption, it also promises a safer journey for commuters. Other Unique Transportation Concepts Photo Source: daimler.com Photo Source: EPFL/TRANSP-OR/LIV/ICOM Hup Lick Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd All Rights Reserved
Exploring how things mix and mingle, both on their own and with each other, really spices up our understanding of the world and our place in it. Think of it like a dance: elements within an organism groove together, organisms themselves tango with one another, and they all boogie with the environment. This whole interaction disco is what gets the party started in Science and Technology. Meanwhile, as Science and Technology spin the decks and drop the beats, they change how we bust our moves with Mother Nature. Science Series Level 4 Level 4 Interactions Interactions All Rights Reserved Printed by: Percetakan Tatt Sdn. Bhd. (270731-D) Lot 17485, Jalan 2, Taman Selayang Baru, Batu 8 Jalan Ipoh, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor. Tel : 03-6136 6686 Faks : 03-6136 8676 WM: RM16.00 EM: RM17.00 Publisher: HUP LICK PUBLISHING (M) SDN. BHD. (106567-K) 40, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 12, Sri Edaran Industrial Park, Off Jalan Kepong, 52100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-6258 9471 Fax: 03-6258 7795 English translation rights granted to YOUNG SCIENTISTS PTE. LTD. ISBN 978-629-488-100-6