Diamagnetic Levitator
PIRA ID: 5H20.251
Location: Q - 4
Objectives
Show that magnetic force is strong enough to overcome gravity.
Instructions
- Have students carefully exam the freely suspended neodymium magnet that remains centered between two HOPG graphite blocks.
- The neodymium magnet is attracted to the ceramic magnets mounted above the graphite. The separation of the magnets is carefully adjusted so that the neodymium magnet experiences 0 net force. As HOPG graphite is diamagnetic, the neodymium magnet experiences small repulsive forces as it approaches either of the blocks. This allows it to be in stable equilibrium.
The position of the ceramic magnets may need to be adjusted to ensure that the neodimium magnet touches neither of the HOPG blocks.
To reserve this demo, email the Duke Physics Department at demos@phy.duke.edu.
Further information here.