Physics Demo Number: 040

Approximate Run Time: 15 min

Super Conductor

Demo Description

Super cooled disk causes the magnet to levitate.

 

Scientific Principles

  • Superconductivity

  • Meisner Effect

Equipment

  • Super conducting disc

  • Rare earth magnet

  • Circular dish for liquid nitrogen

  • Non-metallic tongs

  • Liquid N2

 

 

Equipment Location

  • Apparatus lives in Kit (040) on [A-1-5].

  • Liquid N2 Dewar lives in [D-4-1].

Instructions

The magnet will levitate over the surface of black disc when the disc reaches liquid nitrogen temperature.

Be careful not to subject disk to large forces (such as dropping it) as it is fragile.

Probably best not to handle it directly. Let it reach room temperature and air dry before putting it back in its plastic bag.

One must take the time to let all the students file past, or use video camera projection. The magnet is quite small and the levitation is quite modest.
 
Writeup created by David A. Burba
Copyright © 2013, Vanderbilt University.   All Rights Reserved.