5H20.22 - Levitron (TM) - Levitation Using Permanent Magnets

Code Number:
5H20.22
Demo Title:
Levitron (TM) - Levitation Using Permanent Magnets
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Levitation and Opposing Magnetic Fields
Area of Study:
Electricity & Magnetism
Equipment:
Levitron with tops, perpetuator, top starter.
Procedure:

The apparatus must be leveled for each use.  The top may need to be rebalanced after each use also.  Use the plastic starter table and start the top spinning.  Once the top is spinning you should be able to raise the plastic until the top floats in space.

References:
  • Ron. D. Edge, "Corrections to Levitation Paper", TPT, Vol. 34, # 6, Sept. 1996, p. 329.
  • Ron Edge, "Levitation Using Only Permanent Magnets", TPT, Vol. 33, # 4, p. 252 - 253, April 1995.
  • Max. M. Michaelis, "Inclined Levitron Experiments", AJP, Vol. 80, # 11, Nov. 2012, p. 949. 
  • Martin D. Simon, Lee O. Heflinger, and S. L. Ridgway, "Spin Stabilized Magnetic Levitation", AJP, Vol. 65, #4, Apr. 1997, p. 286.
  • "205. Levitating Top",  Christopher P. Jargodzki and Franklin Potter,  Mad About Physics, p. 77, 218.
  • Martin D. Simon, Lee O. Hefinger, S.L. Ridgway, "Spin Stabilized Magnetic Levitation", American Association of Physics Teachers, April 1997.
  • Theodore Gray, "Ignorance=Maglev=Bliss", Popular Science, Feb. 2004, p. 90.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.