The ultimate
anti-gravity device. Magnetic forces enable this levitator to float in mid-air
and spin. Just give it a gentle nudge and it will rotate in a state of near
perpetual motion for minutes. How long will your spin last? Use it in the
classroom to demonstrate magnetic repulsion and attraction forces as well as
other principles of physics (see below). Or just amaze your friends or
colleagues with a great desk gadget and some magnetic magic!
Ages:
10
+, with adult supervision (this is not a toy)
What
you get
Magnetic levitator
(14cm long approx.), base and transparent plate.
How
does it work?
Opposite magnetic
poles attract and like poles repel – this is the basic principle behind how the
levitator works. Simply, the magnetic field from magnets in the base repels the
magnetic field surrounding the levitator causing it to float. Because it floats
on a cushion of air, friction (or rubbing forces) are almost eliminated. Hence
this baby spins and spins.
Compare the
spinning levitator to the spinning earth. The earth doesn’t even have to contend
with air resistance, so the earth, unlike the levitator, will keep on spinning
without ever stopping.
Magnetic
levitation has important real life applications too. Magnetic levitation or
maglev trains are already in use in China travelling
at an average speed of 430 kmh. Now that’s fast. These trains use magnetic
forces to float over a guideway instead of running on train tracks with steel
wheels. An extreme engineering feat!
Teach
- Magnetic
forces and fields.
- Opposite
magnetic poles attract (North and South poles) and like poles repel (North and
North poles, as well as South and South poles).
- Friction
(or rubbing forces) and how they effect motion.
- Some
properties of space (no air and the spinning earth, and their
effects).
