Sunday, November 28, 2010

Superconductivity




Discovered in the early 1900s, superconductivity is the mind bending occurrence of zero resistance to electric flow.

Resistance to electrical flow decreases as temperature cools but conductors generally have a limit to which they can allow electric flow. Superconductivity occurs when the material is cooled below its critical temperature. Placing 2 like pole magnets next to each other an electrical current is induced, causing the repulsion we are so familiar with. If we have a magnetic rail and place a magnetic puck cooled to superconductive levels, the magnetic field repels the puck along the magnetic rail - the puck moving along without physically touching the rail. This continues until the puck warms up.

Watch the clip.

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