The suspension and levitation of superconductors by permanent magnets is a fascinating consequence of superconductivity, and a wonderful way to generate interest in low-temperature physics and electrodynamics. We present a classroom demonstration of the levitation/suspension of a superconductor over a magnetic track that maximizes the levitation/suspension time and the separation distance between the magnetic track and superconductor. The demonstration, as described, is both inexpensive and easy to construct.
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Videos of the demonstration can be seen at ⟨http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/physics/facstaff/mcsullivan⟩ and ⟨http://youtube.com/watch?v=1zwBoBbHR4I⟩.
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).© 2009 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2009
American Association of Physics Teachers
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