A cubical magnet levitating over a superconducting material (this is known as the Meissner effect)

Magnet levitating above a superconductor cooled by liquid nitrogen

Diamagnetic levitation of a frog.

Levitation (from Latin levare, to raise) is the process by which an object is suspended against gravity, in a stable position, by a force without physical contact. Look up levitation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Image File history File links Magnet_4. ... Image File history File links Magnet_4. ... For other uses, see Magnet (disambiguation). ... Superconductivity is a phenomenon occurring in certain materials at low temperatures, characterised by the complete absence of electrical resistance and the damping of the interior magnetic field (the Meissner effect. ... Diagram of the Meissner effect. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 572 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,400 × 1,716 pixels, file size: 465 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) {{Information |Description={{fr|[[Meissner effect|Effet Meissner: lévitation dun aimant au dessus dun supra-conducteur}} Meissner effect: levitation of a... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 572 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,400 × 1,716 pixels, file size: 465 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) {{Information |Description={{fr|[[Meissner effect|Effet Meissner: lévitation dun aimant au dessus dun supra-conducteur}} Meissner effect: levitation of a... A tank of liquid nitrogen, used to supply a cryogenic freezer (for storing laboratory samples at a temperature of about -150 Celsius). ... Image File history File links Frog_diamagnetic_levitation. ... Image File history File links Frog_diamagnetic_levitation. ... Levitating pyrolytic carbon Diamagnetism is a form of magnetism that is only exhibited by a substance in the presence of an externally applied magnetic field. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... Categories: UK geography stubs ... Gravity is a force of attraction that acts between bodies that have mass. ...

It is also a popular conjuring trick, such as apparently raising a human being without any physical aid. The illusion can be produced by clever mechanics, lighting arrangements or other means. Magician redirects here. ... “Illusionist” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Mechanic (disambiguation). ...

Physics

On earth all that is required for levitation is a force vertically upwards equal to the object's weight. This can be achieved through many different means, for example magnetic, electrostatic (i.e. electrically charged objects) or aerodynamic forces. By means of magnetic levitation even small live animals have been levitated. This article is about Earth as a planet. ... This article is about magnetic levitation. ...

Scientists have discovered a way of levitating ultra small objects by manipulating the so-called Casimir force, which normally causes objects to stick together by quantum force. This practice however, is currently only possible for micro-objects.^[1][2] In 1948 Dutch physicist Hendrik B. G. Casimir of Philips Research Labs predicted that two uncharged parallel metal plates will be subject to a force pressing them together. ...

Aerodynamic levitation is commonly seen in air hockey where jets of gas from the table push upwards against the puck. Levitating objects may also force air downwards e.g. Helicopters, VTOL aircraft, and hovercraft. A sphere can be stably levitated in a stream of air without any type of control system, if conditions are right. This was merchandised as a toy, circa 1960. Aerodynamic levitation apparatus: a spherical sample is floated on a gas stream which flows through the conical nozzle. ... Current World #7 Rank, Danny Hynes Air hockey is a game for two competing players trying to score points in the opposing players goal. ... For other uses, see Helicopter (disambiguation). ... The Hawker Harrier, one of the famous examples of a plane with VTOL capability. ... For the band, see Hovercraft (band). ...

Artistic depiction of a levitation magic trick.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1720x1397, 174 KB) Summary This photograph was taken and edited by me, Nicholas Reed, 2/12/2006 Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1720x1397, 174 KB) Summary This photograph was taken and edited by me, Nicholas Reed, 2/12/2006 Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Further reading

• Schiller, Christoph (2007). Motion Mountain: The Free Physics Textbook.  esp. the section on levitation in the chapter on electromagnetism.

Electromagnetism is the physics of the electromagnetic field: a field which exerts a force on particles that possess the property of electric charge, and is in turn affected by the presence and motion of those particles. ...

References

See also

• Types of physical levitation:
  • Acoustic levitation
  • Aerodynamic levitation
  • Electrostatic levitation
  • Magnetic levitation
  • Optical levitation
• Antigravity
• Flying Saints
• Illusions
  • Balducci levitation
  • Sooperman
  • King levitation
  • Party Levitation
• Metaphysical levitation
• Weightlessness