Diamagnetic levitation with pyrolytic graphite
Sail a magnetic sea with diamagnetic levitation. Diamagnetism causes pyrolytic graphite to levitate. This floats around with less than 1 mm gap above a 13 x 13 array of 5 mm magnets. The north poles are marked as black and the square sheet is 45 mm a side and 0.5 mm thick (20/1000 inch). The video shows the sheet sliding around without friction when I tilt the base slightly.
“Continue reading” for a video, close ups, more explanations and links…
Graphite in the form of pyrolytic graphite is light and one of the most diamagnetic materials and repels a magnetic field.
Pyrolytic Graphite
Pyrolytic graphite is a special form of carbon that repels a magnetic field allowing stable levitation. It is available in thin fragile sheets. These can be cut or split into planes. It is one of the most diamagnetic materials around and much lighter than many others.
This repulsion of a magnetic field occurs for north and south poles alike. It is not a magnet itself. This is diamagnetism and since the graphite is light a strong field will allow levitation. These magnets are only 5 mm a side.
It is most commonly done with a checkerboard configuration of cubic magnets with alternating poles. The black tops of two of the 4 magnets here are south poles.
Note that you can’t do that to levitate a magnet. In a static system, they can never be stable. (Earnshaw’s Theorem).
Paramagnetism is the property of attraction to a magnetic field. Liquid oxygen is an example. Magnetism is different and vastly stronger.
Where to get it? eBay of course. Search for pyrolytic carbon or pyrolytic graphite.
Related pages.
Try something else.
External links.
Diamagnetism – Wikipedia
Wikipedia Pyrolytic Carbon
Earnshaw’s Theorem
SciToys Pyrolytic Graphite
Photo Date: Jan 30, 2013