Purpose: To demonstrate magnetic levitation in the vicinity of a superconductor, and other aspects of superconductivity.

*Demonstration currently not available

If you need this demo sooner rather than later let me know and I'll move its priority up.

Superconductivity demonstration kit consisting of 1" superconductor, two small rare-earth magnets, tweezers, and instruction manual; slide projector; converging lens; screen; liquid nitrogen. The system is set up so that light from the projector shines onto the magnet above the superconductor, through the lens, and onto a screen. The lens is located so that the shadow of the magnet forms an (inverted) image on the screen.

Levitate the magnet above the superconductor by pouring liquid nitrogen over the superconductor to cool it below the critical temperature. The inverted image of the shadow of the floating magnet can be seen by a large class. In addition to discussing the physics of the levitation process, use the opportunity to review lenses and to discuss why the image is inverted.

Several aspects of superconductivity can be demonstrated as suggested in the instruction manual that accompanies the superconductivity demonstration kit.

References:

Manual: None