A Classroom Demonstration of Levitation and Suspension of a Superconductor over a Magnetic Track

TL;DR

This paper introduces an inexpensive, easy-to-construct classroom demonstration that vividly illustrates superconductor levitation and suspension over a magnetic track, enhancing educational engagement in physics.

Contribution

It presents a novel demonstration setup that maximizes levitation duration, separation distance, and aesthetic appeal for educational purposes.

Findings

Demonstration effectively visualizes superconductor levitation.

Setup is inexpensive and easy to build.

Enhances student understanding of superconductivity phenomena.

Abstract

The suspension and levitation of superconductors by permanent magnets is one of the most fascinating consequences of superconductivity, and a wonderful instrument for generating interest in low temperature physics and electrodynamics. We present a novel classroom demonstration of the levitation/suspension of a superconductor over a magnetic track that maximizes levitation/suspension time, separation distance between the magnetic track and superconductor and also insulator aesthetics. The demonstration as described is both inexpensive and easy to construct.