Superconductors and spacetime question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of superconductors, particularly in relation to spacetime and gravity. Participants explore the idea of whether superconductors can alter spacetime or generate their own spacetime fields, as well as the implications of such properties for phenomena like levitation and potential faster-than-light (FTL) travel.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if a superconducting element could create an altered spacetime field, suggesting this might explain its levitation properties.
  • Another participant, with a PhD in superconductors, challenges the terminology of "superconducting field" and asserts that spacetime cannot be generated or altered by superconductors.
  • It is noted that the levitation of superconductors is explained by established phenomena such as diamagnetic levitation and flux pinning, which do not involve spacetime alterations.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for nonsensical replies to the original post, leading to a suggestion to lock the thread.
  • Discussion of FTL travel is deemed inappropriate for the technical forum, with a reminder of forum rules regarding such topics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the concept of superconductors altering spacetime. While one participant proposes this idea, others firmly reject it, citing established scientific principles. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the validity of the original hypothesis.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific scientific concepts such as the Meissner effect and flux pinning, but lacks consensus on the implications of superconductors on spacetime. The original post's speculative nature raises concerns about the quality of responses it may attract.

Billy Maxwell
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I am not a physicist and don't understand a lot of it, I can't do maths, but in all other areas I consider myself an above average educated civilian.

I had a strange dream and it got me thinking. Has anyone ever done a synchronized atomic clock test with a superconducting element? Like placing an atomic clock in an active superconducting field. Could it be possible that one of the properties of a superconductor is that the field it creates doesn't have the same spacetime properties as local spacetime around it?

Could this be why a superconductor can levitate and ignore gravity within it's localized field because it's generating it's own spacetime or an altered spacetime field? If I'm saying something stupid, or already discussed, I apologize, but can someone who understands the actual physics let me know if this idea is valid or have any merit? It's hard searching for physics concepts when I don't know what to look for... That's why I'm asking here. I've seen articles and papers on black holes/spacetime being like superconductors, superconductors generating curves in spacetime, etc... but nothing I've seen talks about wether or not the spacetime in a superconducting field is normal.

I'd like to think that maybe my idea no matter how retarded may spark a bit of an actual physics idea in someone who can do something. Because if a superconducting field can alter spacetime, FTL travel may be possible.
 
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What is a "superconducting field"?

I did my PhD studying superconductors, and I've never come across such a teminology. You might also want to review the PF rules before you go much further.

Zz.
 
Billy Maxwell said:
Could this be why a superconductor can levitate and ignore gravity within it's localized field because it's generating it's own spacetime or an altered spacetime field?

No. The effect due to two things. The first is called diamagnetic levitation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_levitation#Diamagnetic_levitation
The second is called flux pinning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flux_pinning

The effects are only strong only in superconductors because they are near-perfect diamagnets and completely expel an external magnetic field. This is perfectly explained with current theory and has nothing to do with "generating its own spacetime". That's not possible anyways. Spacetime isn't generated by anything. Nor is spacetime able to be altered in such a way as to levitate a magnet.

Billy Maxwell said:
I've seen articles and papers on black holes/spacetime being like superconductors, superconductors generating curves in spacetime, etc... but nothing I've seen talks about wether or not the spacetime in a superconducting field is normal.

At best, those are simplifications used by scientists to make modeling things easier. At worst, they are nonsensical articles that have little-to-nothing to do with real science. In any case, spacetime is not a superconductor.

Billy Maxwell said:
Because if a superconducting field can alter spacetime, FTL travel may be possible.

Discussion of FTL travel is not allowed in the technical forums, it is only allowed as part of world-building in the sci-fi writing forum. Please see PF Terms and Rules for a list of banned topics.
 
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Drakkith said:
No. The effect due to two things. The first is called diamagnetic levitation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_levitation#Diamagnetic_levitation
The second is called flux pinning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flux_pinning

The effects are only strong only in superconductors because they are near-perfect diamagnets and completely expel an external magnetic field. This is perfectly explained with current theory and has nothing to do with "generating its own spacetime". That's not possible anyways. Spacetime isn't generated by anything. Nor is spacetime able to be altered in such a way as to levitate a magnet.
At best, those are simplifications used by scientists to make modeling things easier. At worst, they are nonsensical articles that have little-to-nothing to do with real science. In any case, spacetime is not a superconductor.
Discussion of FTL travel is not allowed in the technical forums, it is only allowed as part of world-building in the sci-fi writing forum. Please see PF Terms and Rules for a list of banned topics.

Thanks, a bunch Drakkath, that's what I was looking for. I'll read the link you posted.

I had read the introductory email and didn't have that link. I apologize by I missing it.
 
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Billy Maxwell said:
Thanks, a bunch Drakkath, that's what I was looking for. I'll read the link you posted.

I had read the introductory email and didn't have that link. I apologize by I missing it.

No problem.

Unfortunately the content in your first post is likely to generate nonsensical and crackpottish replies that we'd have to deal with, so I'm going to keep this thread locked. If you have any specific questions on superconductors, the Meissner effect, flux pinning, or any other mainstream science topic please feel free to start a new thread.
 
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