Possible Duplicate:
Can superconducting magnets fly (or repel the earth's core)?
I've seen superconductors levitating on magnets. But is it possible for superconductors to levitate on Earth from Earth's magnetic field?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
1
-
1$\begingroup$ Another duplicate that is arguably better written than the original. Certainly the answer here is superior. Any thoughts from on merging them or leaving them separate? $\endgroup$– dmckee --- ex-moderator kittenNov 18, 2011 at 15:07
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
12
The lift generated by magnetic field B on a superconductor of area S is:
\begin{equation} F = \frac{B^2S}{2\mu_0} \end{equation}
disregarding lateral forces and assuming superconducting cylinder (or similar shape) with area S at the top and bottom and height h, we need three forces to remain in the equilibrium: magnetic pressure on top, bottom and gravity force:
\begin{equation} F_{b} - F_{t} = F_{g} \end{equation}
denoting density of the superconductor as ρ, Earth' gravity as g and magnetic field at the top and bottom of the object as Bt and Bb, we have
\begin{equation} \frac{1}{2\mu_0}(B_{b}^2-B_{t}^2)=\rho gh \end{equation}
assuming the vertical rate of change of magnetic field is nearly constant and denoting the average magnetic field as B, we have
\begin{equation} -B\frac{dB}{dz}=\mu_{0}\rho g \end{equation}
Compare with diamagnetic levitation (superconductor's magnetic susceptibility is -1).
Now, Earth magnetic field is between 25 to 65 μT. For the derivative I have found this survey from British Columbia with upper point on the scale being 2.161 nT/m. Assuming this to be the maximum for vertical derivative we get the required density of 1.1394e-08 kg/m3. For comparison air density at the sea level at 15C is around 1.275 kg/m3, so required density is 8 orders of magnitude smaller.
Even assuming a very high vertical derivative where B goes from its maximum 65 μT to 0 on 1 m of height results in density required of 0.00034272 kg/m3.
answered Nov 17, 2011 at 21:06
-
$\begingroup$ so it's possible for levitation if the superconductor has maximal area and minimal density? What about metallic hydrogen? I hear that it is the lightest metal in the universe. Though I can't find any numbers.... $\endgroup$– mugetsuNov 17, 2011 at 21:33
-
$\begingroup$ Well, you certainly couldn't keep on decreasing the thickness beyond London penetration depth. $\endgroup$ Nov 17, 2011 at 21:51
-
$\begingroup$ thats like in the nm right? Which would be enough in terms of thickness for levitation. $\endgroup$– mugetsuNov 17, 2011 at 22:12
-
$\begingroup$ since a sheet so thin would break easily, it should theoretically work in the same way if instead I had superconductor powder. I'm assuming that each particle is like a very small thin square sheet, so given the right density, these particles can levitate under gravity, even when in close proximity to each other. Is this assumption correct? $\endgroup$– mugetsuNov 17, 2011 at 22:22
-
$\begingroup$ just saw your update about the magnetic field obstacle. so in effect, given the perfect material, levitation cannot be achieved practically? quite a shame.... $\endgroup$– mugetsuNov 17, 2011 at 22:32