One of the unique properties of a superconductor is its ability to to levitate a magnet.  Scientists are currently researching this phenomenon for possible practical applications, such as flywheel energy storage and the creation of a nearly frictionless bearing.  This page is a record of an introductory-level study of the properties of the bearing, including a determination of the spring constant and of the time constant of rthe decay of rotational velocity.  The work was done in May and June, 2003, under the supervision of Dr. Mark Devlin at the University of Pennsylvania.

• Theory Behind the Levitating Frictionless Bearing

• Constructing the Bearing

• Studying the Bearing: Finding the Spring and Spin-down Constant

• Links: More about Superconductors

Contact:

Ruth Toner, Germantown Academy

Mark Devlin, University of Pennsylvania