What is Levitation: Definition and 116 Discussions

Levitation (from Latin levitas "lightness") is the process by which an object is held aloft, without mechanical support, in a stable position.
Levitation is accomplished by providing an upward force that counteracts the pull of gravity (in relation to gravity on earth), plus a smaller stabilizing force that pushes the object toward a home position whenever it is a small distance away from that home position. The force can be a fundamental force such as magnetic or electrostatic, or it can be a reactive force such as optical, buoyant, aerodynamic, or hydrodynamic.
Levitation excludes floating at the surface of a liquid because the liquid provides direct mechanical support. Levitation excludes hovering flight by insects, hummingbirds, helicopters, rockets, and balloons because the object provides its own counter-gravity force.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. D

    Magnetic Levitation: Design w/ Neodymium & Electric Magnets

    Hey guys, How do I make a levitation module with neodymium and electric magnets? If u have any ideas or can help me with information or a design, please leave a comment below, I would greatly appreciate it. THX
  2. J

    Meissner effect and conservation of momentum in magnetic levitation

    I was recently reading about the Meissner effect, in which certain superconductors are able to "exclude" any external magnetic field lines from their interior, as seen in the right half of this diagram: I understand that some superconductors exhibit a sort of imperfect Meissner effect in...
  3. Anoop Koushik

    Building powerful magnetic levitation device

    I want to have a powerful magnetic levitation device as an attraction for college fest and also as my first big project! So I need to know how to start with it. I need to workout with all theory parts before I start building it ! Where to start from?
  4. J

    Remotely changing superconductor levitation height

    Forgive me if some of my question sounds misguided or misinformed - I'm new to the flux pinning game. I want to be able to modify the height of a quantum locked superconductor. My original plan was to levitate the superconductor over an electromagnet and modify the current to said magnet...
  5. skepticwulf

    Levitation Possible? How Electric Charge Balances Gravity

    I was solving a static electricity/electric field problem and I came across with one saying Earth has an electric field of roughly 150 N/C at the surface. The book also states that it's negative, direction is toward the center of Earth's core. So from the equation of F=qE one can find easily...
  6. E

    Acoustic levitation shape question (Japanese scientists link)

    http://sploid.gizmodo.com/amazing-scientists-make-things-fly-around-in-space-usi-1492880964 I wanted to ask is there a specific reason for the completely horizontal X shape of the levitated particles. If we already have such precise control over the standing waves, couldn't it be possible...
  7. D

    Calculating the requirements for magnetic levitation

    Hi everyone, I am interested in using an electromagnet to repel a permanent magnet and lift it up, and I am thinking about how to go about calculating the required magnetic field strength of the electromagnet for this operation. I have attached a rough conceptual drawing showing the...
  8. maajdl

    DIAMAGNETIC LEVITATION: can a frog really levitate?

    I found a website claiming that a frog can levitate. A "large magnetic field" of the order of 10 Tesla is all that would be needed. And the effect would be a consequence of diamagnetism. http://www.ru.nl/hfml/research/levitation/ I am a little bit skeptic about that. I was familiar, long ago...
  9. B

    Levitation using earth's magnetic field - electric propeller .

    Levitation using Earth's magnetic field - "electric propeller". I have idea how to levitate using weak Earth's magnetic field. It is something like electric propeller - magnetic field line booster. There is 3 wires (in this case). With no current in wires all is standard, no levitation...
  10. Phizix

    Can a Small YBa2Cu3O7 Disk Navigate a Ring Magnet Track in Quantum Levitation?

    Okay so I am a high school student so please don't hate me if this is a dumb question. I'm am doing a Science Fair Project in a couple of months and I decided to start thinking of some ideas. I'm thinking of doing Quantum Levitation (Quantum Locking) and the science behind it. So as most of...
  11. 4

    Building a Quantum Levitation device

    I'm confident that most of us have seen the advancements in quantum levitation recently, and this has aroused questions among the geek community ( us : ) ) Anyway, if I were to, hypothetically, want to build one... How do I- *cough*- one do such a thing. What equipment and supplies are in play...
  12. K

    Can Earth's Magnetic Field Be Amplified for Levitation Purposes?

    If it is possible to calculate the Earth's magnetic field at a given point (ranging between 0.25 to 0.65 Gauss), can an opposing field be created to lift an object? If the natural magnetic field is not strong enough, can it be amplified to the required level? My question is leading to whether a...
  13. F

    Current flow and speed control in magnetic Levitation

    Hello, I'm working on obtaining an equation that will help me model the behavior of velocity as a response to the current flowing to a coil in a MagLev. I have tried to relate momentum and electromagnetic momentum: m*v=F*Δt F=q(E+ v X B) V= (q(E+ v X B) Δt)/m Am I going the right...
  14. R

    What is the detailed physics of the EMS maglev levitation system

    Homework Statement I have to complete a detailed essay on the physics of an electromagnetic suspension (EMS) Maglev train. Using physics concepts and showing equations i must explain how a) the train levitates, and b) how it is propelled along the guide way. Homework Equations...
  15. S

    Hexamagnetic levitation using neodymium ball magnets

    Hello, Just wanted to say I did this today. I could envision it in theory a while. Went ahead and filed it under creative commons. Wondered If any of you "are" aware if this is a pattent somewhere? And maybe shed some light on it. We start with arranging neodymium ball magnets in a diamond...
  16. D

    Magnetic levitation of vehicles vs anti-gravity

    I'm trying to provide a simple technology for vehicles to float above the ground in a sci-fi story I'm writing. Star Wars landspeeders use anti-gravity, which I suppose I could use as well. It's not unique to Star Wars, although it was popularized by that saga and I was hoping to do something...
  17. D

    Analytical equation for Magnetic Levitation

    Hello everyone, So I've stumped uppon some problems during my project. It is not my homework or anything, so I didn't post it there. I've built a magnetic levitation system, which could lift up to 2kg. The problem is, that we cannot regulate the vertical position of the item. But that can...
  18. T

    Levitation using directed electric fields

    Greeting PF’rs Subject: Levitation using directed electric fields If someone had a way to take a spherical mass and pump electrons into the mass and fill many of the valence electron shells in the atoms, there would be an enormous electric field emitted by the charged mass. (Yellow sphere in...
  19. W

    Electromagnetic levitation Relations

    Hello everyone i bought a kit for my senior project on electromagnetic levitation. It uses an electromagnet to suspend a magnet via force of attraction. It is stable because of two hall effect sensors and voltage regulator. The kit can make the magnet move in a sinusoidal and tangential motion...
  20. T

    Can any magnet achieve quantum levitation?

    This video is so amazing i am simply awestruck by this phenomena, but i have a few questions. What makes it so that it can float and stay in the same position? Could you do this with any magnet or does t have to be the special saphire with gold coating for protection like in the video? And would...
  21. L

    Quiet Bernoulli Levitation (Aerodynamic Levitation)

    Bernoulli levitation, or aerodynamic levitation, is a great physics demonstration. You've probably seen it before. The classic demonstration is: take a hair dryer, point it straight up, and put a ping-pong ball in the stream of air. The ping-pong ball floats in mid-air. But, most hair dryers...
  22. H

    Magnetic Levitation energy problem

    OK, this'll be my first post here. I was writing on a topic about magnetism when I realized that I simply don't know enough to answer the question effectively. The question is, How much energy does it take to magnetically levitate a 180.0 kg mass using the Earth's gravitational field...
  23. M

    Quantum levitation and quantum locking applications

    Hello Everyone, I'm brand new to the forum as a poster, although I have been quietly reading the very interesting discussions going on here for a while! I'm hoping to slowly emerge from the shadows and start posting myself. Whilst I am by no means an expert in Physics, I do love the subject...
  24. J

    Why Does the Aluminum Ring Hover Unsteadily in a Magnetic Levitation Experiment?

    Homework Statement see attachment Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution ok, so clearly an emf will be induced in the aluminium ring as the alternating current produces a magnetic field. The induced emf will be equal to the rate of change of emf (which will vary with time...
  25. Z

    Transfer function of an air levitation system

    I'm building an air levitation system that will levitate a ball in a closed tube with a DC motor fan at one end of it. I'm having a hard time thinking of a way to obtain the transfer function of the system. I know the net vertical force will be the force of gravity the gradients of air pressure...
  26. P

    Electromagnetic Levitation Force

    Hello everybody! For a physics project, I'm trying to create an electromagnet exposed to varying current, determined by a sensor. This sensor will measure the distance between a magnet under the electromagnet and the electromagnet itself, and then we'll need to convert this distance to the...
  27. G

    Can electromagnets be used to eliminate weight force in levitation?

    Forces in Levitation HELP! If you have a magnet suspended by an electromagnet, and the force exerted by the electromagnet on the magnet is greater then the weight force of suspended magnet, would there be a weight force? . Looking at it using vector forces it would seem that the resulting...
  28. D

    Quantum Levitation: Examining Effects of Aerogel

    Hello people. I pose the question. what would be the result of using Aerogel which we know retains heat to slow down the process of quantum levitation.
  29. L

    Superconductor dust levitation in the Earth's magnetic field

    In the wake of recent metallic hydrogen news, and the fact that metallic has long been thought to be a room temperature superconductor, I began to ponder about the age old question of superconductor levitation. Now that we are no longer restricted by temperature requirements, perhaps levitation...
  30. W

    Amazing Quantum Levitation Demonstration Video

    I found this great demonstration video of quantum levitation and just had to share it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ws6AAhTw7RA
  31. O

    Diamagnetic Levitation: How to Levitate a Worm and Other Experiment Ideas

    So I want to levitate...(drum roll please)...A REALLY SMALL WORM! First off, I read that the downward pull on the worm will be gr (gravity times density), so then how would I calculate how powerful my magnet would have to be to balance this force? So that's the mathematical part...
  32. C

    Ring magnets levitation question

    consider the image i have uploaded, it shows 4 ring-shaped magnets of different sizes each pair of concentric magnets are held in position relative to each other, and the lower pair is also affixed to the ground, i.e. the upper pair of magnets is free to move blue and red faces show the...
  33. mnb96

    Acoustic Levitation: Physics Law & Forces Explained

    Hello, can anyone clarify what's the principle (or physics law) according to which small objects are kept suspended in air in acoustic levitation devices? I understood that the device essentially creates an acoustic standing wave inside a container. This means that, in some specific regions...
  34. S

    Electro magnetic craft levitation at earths magnetic pole possible?

    the reason for this idea is to replace most rocket fuel needed for soft re-entry with other type of energy into Earth's atmosphere (NOT to move around, just slow down) lets assume you have a HUGE energy supply and a craft with capability to generating an electromagnetic field (direction of...
  35. N

    Levitation using microwave-induced plasmas

    Hi all, I came across this interesting paper the other night: http://www.odu.edu/~spopovic/index_files/pub/LevitationPaper.pdf An experiment was conducted involving the levitation of a Syrofoam object above a plasma created by a microwave horn. The following explanation given for the...
  36. S

    Discover the Force of Levitation with Magnets: Levitron Physics Explained

    hi, I am new to this i hope someone can help i have a small problem with what formula i should use for my project i have this magnetic toy that is called the levitron and it levitates this magnetic top over a bass that is also a magnet. I am trying to find the force between the two...
  37. P

    Can we have electrostatic levitation using capacitor type plates?

    Hi all, I am in the process of developing a science project. That is when I came across different types of levitation including electrostatic levitation. Maglev trains are a good example of magnetic levitation. We know that like charges repel each other. Its on the last sentence that I...
  38. J

    Acoustic Levitation: Reflector Plate Challenges

    Hi everyone, I'm working a on a project involving acoustic levitation. Right now we're trying to finish up construction of the apparatus. In particular, the reflector plate is proving to be slightly difficult. The transducer we're use has a resonance frequency of about 29.95 kHz. As far I...
  39. P

    Applications of magnetic levitation

    i am a high school student and have designed a magnetic levitation system for my school science fair. The circuit used is: http://uzzors2k.4hv.org/projectfiles/magneticlevitator/Magnetic%20Levitator%20circuit.GIF However, i would like to scale up the project and find some REAL WORLD...
  40. J

    Question on magnetic levitation project.

    Hello everyone! My apologies if i am not posting in the correct subforum. I have a couple questions on an art project i am getting ready to start on, and was not able to find what I was looking for. I am new to this board and should let you all know right now that I failed high school...
  41. I

    10kw induction heater, levitation

    I don't know if this is the right section of the physics forum, but I thought people might be interested in viewing a 10kw induction heater. I can boil steel and copper in a few seconds; with a special coil I can levitate it in mid-air with a magnetic field. Currently , I am thinking about...
  42. S

    Can a Helium Balloon Levitate Without Touching the Ceiling?

    I wonder if it is possible to make a helium ballloon to Levitate in the air without touching the ceiling? Something like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kI-_MhnyzE" Thanks,
  43. T

    Making a Magnetic Levitation Train

    I would like to make a maglev train for a physics project, but I would prefer it to be simple and for the most part easy to make, as I do not have access to too many supplies. Hopefully, you can help me generate a list of possible ideas with brief explanations on how to construct them and how...
  44. H

    The commercial toy, Levitron, can achieve stable magnetic levitation

    The commercial toy, Levitron, can achieve stable magnetic levitation due to gyroscopic stabilization and axis precesion. The Levitron toy sold in market has a vertical spinning axis, and so far I have not found a variation with horizontal axis. Is it allowed in Earnshaw's theorem, for a...
  45. S

    Maximizing Magnetic Levitation: Factors Affecting Ring Height Experiment

    In an experiment I am carrying out I am levitating metal rings using a solenoid with a clamp stand going through the solenoid acting as a support for the ring and a core for the solenoid (seen in the attachment). I have one simple question? Theorectically, should an Aluminium or Copper ring...
  46. D

    What Formulas Are Needed for Electromagnetic Levitation of an Aluminum Ring?

    Looking at A2 courcework I am using soleniods and a iron core to magnitally levitate a aluminium ring. However what relevant readinging into relevant theories and what formulas do i need to look at? Is there a forumla that links can predict the height of the levitating magnet? with say the...
  47. E

    Levitation with Permanent magnets

    Hi everyone, I've been trying to find info about getting an object to levitate and how strong the magnets need to be but haven't had much luck. I'm trying to build a levitating picure frame using permanent magnets rather electromagnets. The plan was to take apart a lamp and put in two ring...
  48. pellman

    Levitation - what the heck is this?

    Never mind the UFO title. The premise of this show is that flying saucer sightings are the result of sightings of secret advanced test propulsion systems. The physics is at 2:15 of the video. The interviewed engineer states that "this is nothing more than 250 turns of number 30 wire. And...
  49. A

    How does electrostatic levitation work?

    Any knows how electrostatic levitation works? I know it is the process of using an electrostatic field to lift a charged object, but how does it work? what goes on in the atoms in the dust and with the electric field?
  50. U

    UFO-Electromagnetic Levitation Demonstration

    Can anyone help me understand what's happening in this video? Is it a total bamboozle, or is there anything to it?
Back
Top