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MOTION MOUNTAIN

LIGHT, CHARGES AND BRAINS - Motion Mountain

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electromagnetic effects and challenges 213<br />

Ref. 176<br />

Ref. 175<br />

Ref. 177<br />

F I G U R E 157 Stable diamagnetic levitation of a graphite bar over rectangular permanent magnets<br />

(above) and of two graphite plates, one seen from above and another from the side (centre); below,<br />

levitation of a 4 mm diameter NdFeB permanent magnet, above a graphite plate and between two<br />

graphite plates, near a large ring magnet (not shown) (© Joachim Schlichting from Ref. 175).<br />

Indeed, diamagnetic materials, such as graphite or water, can be levitated by staticmagnetic<br />

fieldsbecause theyare attracted to magnetic fieldminima. In fact,it is possibleto<br />

levitate magnets if one uses a combination containing diamagnets. A few cases that can<br />

easily be replicated on a kitchen table are shown in Figure 157.<br />

Another well-known example of diamagnetic levitation is the levitation of superconductors.<br />

Indeed, superconductors, at least those of type I, are perfects diamagnets<br />

(μ=0).Insomecases,superconductorscaneven besuspended inmid-air,belowamagnet.<br />

Also single atoms with a magnetic momentare diamagnets; theyare routinely levitated<br />

this way and have also been photographed in this state. Single neutrons, which<br />

have a magnetic dipole moment, have been kept in magnetic bottles through magnetic<br />

Motion Mountain – The Adventure of Physics copyright © Christoph Schiller June 1990–November 2015 free pdf file available at www.motionmountain.net

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