Can Electromagnets Achieve Levitation?

[thebluser]

so let's say that i take and electromagnet and a magnet. i connect them to a position where if i turn on the power they will repel each other(the magnet is on top and is connected to the bottom electromagnet). my question: will it levitate when i switch the power on and increasing and deacreasing the flow to the electromagnet? imagine that there's enough electricity flowing to the electromagnet to repel the whole device weight. I am not sure youll understand this question but if you dont, its okay :p.

 

[phinds]

Why not just DO it and find out?

 

[thebluser]

because i don't have the materials.

 

[davenn]

because i don't have the materials.

well its very cheap and easy to make an electro moagnet
... say 100ft of 20swg of enamelled copper wire, a piece of iron for the core say 4 inches long and 1 inch diameter approx ( not critical) and a power supply that can supply say ~ 12VDC at ~ 5Amps max

and many hobby shops will sell permanent magnets

Dave

 

[Drakkith]

so let's say that i take and electromagnet and a magnet. i connect them to a position where if i turn on the power they will repel each other(the magnet is on top and is connected to the bottom electromagnet). my question: will it levitate when i switch the power on and increasing and deacreasing the flow to the electromagnet? imagine that there's enough electricity flowing to the electromagnet to repel the whole device weight. I am not sure youll understand this question but if you dont, its okay :p.

You will need to secure the levitating magnet or electromagnet to a pole to keep it in a stable position, but yes it will levitate if the magnets are strong enough. You can do this experiment with 2 permanent magnets that are ring shaped. Stick them onto a rod or something that will hold them in position with like sides facing each other. Cheap and easy.

 

[Bobbywhy]

Using the Google search terms “science projects magnetic levitation” I found many sites describing such projects. Some are complicated, some are simple, but all of them illustrate the phenomenon of magnetic levitation. Here are just two to get you started:

http://www.paksc.org/pk/science-experiments/physics-experiments/item/792-magnetic-levitation-science-project.html

http://www.levitationfun.com/

 

[CWatters]

See also youtube.

 

[thebluser]

thank you all for your very good answers :)