UFO-Electromagnetic Levitation Demonstration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a video demonstrating UFO-like electromagnetic levitation. Participants explore whether the phenomenon is genuine or merely an illusion, examining the underlying principles of magnetic levitation and related concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the video showcases normal magnetic levitation, finding nothing particularly exciting about it.
  • Others mention the concept of diamagnetic levitation, referencing a floating frog as an interesting example of this phenomenon.
  • One participant describes the mechanism of an alternating magnetic field created by a coil, which induces eddy currents in an aluminum plate, facilitating levitation.
  • There are discussions about the size and reactance of the coil needed for effective levitation, with considerations about the weight and melting point of the coil.
  • Participants express interest in calculating the intensity of the magnetic field required to induce levitation without a metal plate, questioning the role of magnetic permeability and AC frequency in this process.
  • One participant suggests that there may be research papers available that have experimented with the variables affecting electromagnetic levitation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express differing views on the nature of the levitation demonstrated in the video, with some asserting it is a standard magnetic levitation effect while others explore more complex mechanisms and possibilities. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the authenticity and novelty of the phenomenon.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of factors such as coil size, frequency, and the properties of the metal plate, but these aspects remain underexplored and not fully resolved in the discussion.

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Can anyone help me understand what's happening in this video? Is it a total bamboozle, or is there anything to it?

 
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It looks like normal magnetic levitation to me. Nothing particularly exciting about that.
 
Just search youtube for magnetic levitation and you'll get some interesting vids. Also diamagnetic levitation is also quite interesting. Ever see a floating (or flying) frog?
 
ranger said:
Ever see a floating (or flying) frog?

No, but I wouldn't mind it. I should check that out.
 
Yeah, I've seen that floating frog. They used an extremely powerful magnetic field. Fascinating!
 
Yup. That'd be it. The official website is here:
http://www.hfml.ru.nl/froglev.html
 
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russ_watters said:
It looks like normal magnetic levitation to me. Nothing particularly exciting about that.

Well, sort of. The coil looks OK, but I can't see the stabilization. Is there something in that platform underneath? Or am I completely missing it?
 
The coil creates a alternating magnetic field around it. This induces an opposing alternating magnetic field, from eddy currents, in the alluminum plate under the coil.

You can do it with a small coil of wire plugged directly into the wall, if the coil has the right reactance. To large a coil will be too heavy. To small a coil will melt. You need the metal plate and alluminum or copper is best.

Would be interesting to calculate how intense a field you would need to get enough inductive reaction from the air or vacuume. So you could do it without the metal plate.
 
  • #10
MrHayman said:
The coil creates a alternating magnetic field around it. This induces an opposing alternating magnetic field, from eddy currents, in the alluminum plate under the coil.

You can do it with a small coil of wire plugged directly into the wall, if the coil has the right reactance. To large a coil will be too heavy. To small a coil will melt. You need the metal plate and alluminum or copper is best.

Would be interesting to calculate how intense a field you would need to get enough inductive reaction from the air or vacuume. So you could do it without the metal plate.

This is the mechanism I've heard of before for this phenomenon. I'm sure the magnetic permeability of the metal plate and the AC frequency play a role. Is it just coincidence that 120 Hz is in the correct frequency range? What frequency would give you maximum efficiency?
 
  • #11
It just easiest to plug it right into the wall. You wind the coil to get maximum current, without melting the coil or blowing the breaker. I would hazard a guess there is a certain frequency which would maximize the distance. There has got to be a paper somewhere that has experimented with all the variables?

You can do the opposite as well, floating an aluminum plate or bowl over top of a strong AC electromagnet.

http://www.ovalecotech.ca/ovlpics/faralev.gif
 
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