Superconductor momentum conservation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of superconductors in relation to momentum and energy conservation, particularly focusing on a thought experiment involving a closed square loop of superconducting wire carrying current. Participants explore whether electrons transfer momentum and energy to the metal lattice when they accelerate around corners of the circuit, and the implications for current conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a thought experiment questioning whether electrons in a superconducting loop transfer momentum and energy to the metal lattice when accelerating around corners, suggesting this could lead to current dissipation.
  • Another participant asserts that while momentum is conserved, energy is not transferred once the coil reaches an equilibrium position, indicating a balance of momentum transfer among Cooper pairs.
  • A different participant raises a question about the limitations of superconductors, suggesting that current density may dictate resistance, with lower currents experiencing no resistance and higher currents encountering some form of friction.
  • Another participant mentions that current density, external magnetic field, and temperature define a region of superconductivity, emphasizing the interplay of these parameters.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conservation of momentum and energy in superconductors, with no consensus reached on the implications of current density and its relationship to resistance in superconducting materials.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference concepts such as Cooper pairs, equilibrium positions, and the effects of skin and proximity effects on current density, but these ideas remain unresolved and contingent on further clarification.

Danyon
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I often hear that a superconductor can hold a current indefinitely, I have a thought experiment which relates to this claim. Consider a closed square loop of superconducting wire, this wire carries some current. Will the electrons in the circuit transfer momentum and energy to the metal lattice when the electrons accelerate around the corners of the square circuit? If yes, then the current will actually slowly dissipate, if no then you could accelerate the electrons in the wire, giving a recoil force, and the electrons would travel all around the wire without transferring momentum where they can be accelerated again. This would be a momentum conservation violating thruster...So is current or momentum conserved?
 
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Danyon said:
Will the electrons in the circuit transfer momentum and energy to the metal lattice when the electrons accelerate around the corners of the square circuit?
Momentum yes, energy no (at least not once the coil reached an equilibrium position).
Momentum is conserved, you get should a tiny bit of tension in the wires balancing the momentum transfer of the cooper pairs.
 
Danyon said:
I often hear that a superconductor can hold a current indefinitely

Does that mean the only limitation then will be current density of wire which has become supper conductor. I mean if current is less than its current density then it will feel no resistance and if current is more than its current density then some kind of resistance (friction) will come in practice?
Here I refer to current density as a relative term which depends upon frequency of operation due to skin effect and proximity effect.
 
Last edited:
Current density, external magnetic field and temperature form a region of superconductivity in the "corner" of low values for those three parameters.
 

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