DIAMAGNETIC LEVITATION: can a frog really levitate?

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    Diamagnetic Levitation
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of diamagnetic levitation, specifically whether a frog can levitate in a strong magnetic field, with references to the required field strength and the effects on non-magnetic materials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions a claim that a frog can levitate in a magnetic field of about 10 Tesla due to diamagnetism, expressing skepticism based on previous experiences with lower magnetic fields.
  • Another participant provides a link to a paper that discusses the phenomenon further, suggesting that there is scientific literature on the topic.
  • A different participant references an Ignobel prize awarded for related work, indicating a historical context for the discussion.
  • One participant humorously suggests that feeding a frog iron filings could enable levitation, drawing a literary reference to Mark Twain.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of skepticism and curiosity regarding the feasibility of frog levitation in strong magnetic fields, with no consensus reached on the validity of the initial claim.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the specific effects of large magnetic fields on various materials, including the conditions under which diamagnetism would be significant for a frog.

maajdl
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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 with large devices where magnetic field of the order of 3 Tesla were used.
I had never heard of big effects on "non-magnetic" materials (like wood for example).

What do you think about that?
Could you give some order of magnitudes and explain what would be the effect of large magnetic fields on diamagnetic substance?

Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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I suppose if you were to feed the frog enough iron filings!

(Reminds me of Mark Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County".)
 

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