Electricity and Magnetism > Magnetic Materials DCS# 5G50.50
MEISSNER EFFECT

APPARATUS
4 x 4 cm YBCO sheet in thermally insulating case
202-20-B2
magnet 202-20-B2
liquid nitrogen Science Center dock
dewar
 214-02-B5
styrofoam container
 202-20-B2
nonmagnetic tweezers 202-20-B2
video camera or document camera
 202-09-D
gloves
 015B-02-A
goggles
 015B-02-B

DESCRIPTION
Levitate a magnet above a high temperature superconductor.  Cool the YBCO in the dewar of liquid nitrogen.  Set it in the styrofoam cup and cover with liquid nitrogen.  Place the magnet above the superconductor and it will hover there.  Blow through a cocktail stirrer to spin the magnet.

This is an enhanced flux pinning superconductor.  You can lift it out of the cup by the magnet, or suspend a magnet below it.  See the levitation and suspension demonstration.

NOTES

After use, let the superconductor dry then store it in a sealed ziploc bag with silica gel.

If you prefer that the superconductor be visible, use one of the YBCO pellets and a lighter magnet: