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.

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  1. H

    Friend's Wacky Idea: Could Levitation be Possible?

    A friend of mine . kind of savant genius ,but this time he has gone too far . he's got this wacko idea . he's all set to try and patent . I am trying to help him out by getting some "real" physicists to tell him he's got his head on backward heres what he thinks that if someone were to have a...
  2. Y

    Can Two Solenoids Levitate a Steel Ball?

    If I had two identical solenoids parallel with a small gap between them and put a steel ball between them, would the ball levitate? Thanks
  3. A

    Hovercraft levitation - simple ideas needed

    Okay, I know there are old posts, but I can't understand a word cause I'm in 7th grade. So, I need to make a miniature hovercraft that can actually levitate. Price isn't a problem, so can anyone give me the basic materials and where to get them? I'm not what you call a physics or math genius, so...
  4. C

    Levitation Device: Is it Real or Fake?

    Hello All, I stumbled across this video: http://shizzville.com/make-your-own-levitation-device In which someone claims to make a fully functional levitation device. I tried it with a slightly newer phone and, (as expected) I couldn't replicate it. Although this is probably a fake...
  5. S

    How Can I Begin Researching Electromagnetic Levitation?

    hi, i want to start some "researches" about electromagnetic levitation,and well i came here to ask if anyone could help me...anything...books,links... thnk u
  6. P

    Levitation of objects by a magnetic field ?

    levitation of objects by a magnetic field ? how is it done? does this happen when opposite (charged) field come in contact? i'hve not understood it properly so pls xplain.
  7. M

    Superconducting levitation and transportation

    Hey, think this post belongs in this section. I've seen a few videos about superconducting levitation and it is used on trains, correct? I was wondering if it is possible to levitate an object like a car and propel it forward? Heres a clip, please don't delete :) watch it please :D...
  8. H

    Levitation is a well documented phenomenon

    Levitation is a well documented phenomenon, in fact ancient yogic texts (Hatha Yoga pradipka, yoga sutras, etc) as well as modern ones (Science of pranayama by HH Sri Swami Sivananda) claim it to be a siddhi (psychic power) which one can acquire. Even the christian faith has had its own...
  9. D

    Magnetic levitation and suspension

    I was watching a video on youtube which showed how superconductors worked in magnetic levitation, and something struck me, the effect of magnetic levitation and suspension, where the magnet is both attracting and repelling at the same time thus keeping the superconductor at the same distance...
  10. D

    Achieving Stable Levitation with Electromagnetism

    For an experiment I need to achieve a stable axis of permanent levitation. Due to how magnets function I can't exactly go about this a simple way and my best bet is to probably go with a sort of eletromagnetism. I was thinking about buying one of those $80 floating globes, taking it appart and...
  11. G

    How would plasmagnetic levitation be used to levitate an object?

    How would plasmagnetic levitation be used to levitate an object? If someone would be able to direct me to wear I could find some information ,or knows any thing about the subject.That would be awsome!
  12. BasketDaN

    Mechanical Steel vs. Magnetic Levitation Composite Flywheels?

    Spinning at their respective maximum velocities, approximately how much more energy will an ideal composite flywheel (magnetically levitated in a vaccum) be able to store than an ideal ball bearing steel alloy flywheel of the same size and shape? Thanks.
  13. L

    Build a Maglev= (Magnetic levitation) train for a science project

    Hi there, I need to build a Maglev= (Magnetic levitation) train for a science project. I already build a track with coils and permanent magnets, but unfortunately my teacher doesn't know which computer program is suitable to switch the current whenever it's needed along with the north and...
  14. P

    Natural Levitation: Is Electron Repulsion True?

    I have heard that non-cohesive surface contact is such that any given "object1" is floating on "object2" in the sense that there is a separation, however small, due to electron repulsion. When I pick up my coffee cup, under this theory, my fingers never actually touch the cup, rather interact...
  15. K

    Underneath David Blaine's Levitation Act: Exploring the Possibilities

    David Blaine?? Yo, d00dz, any of you familiar with David Blaine's levitation act? Assuming it's not just a cheap camera trick, any ideas as to how he might do it? My friend noticed that it's always shown to people or the camera from one specific angle, if it is an illusion somehow, but...
  16. Zefram

    Can Anything Like Levitation Be Possible?

    I stumbled over http://www.healthresearchbooks.com/articles/levitation.htm (I'm not sure how) and I'm curious as to whether anything at all similar to this is even remotely possible? Doesn't sound right to me but I thought I'd check.
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