Re: Student demonstration in Magnetism

[Wolfgang Rueckner <rueckner@FAS.HARVARD.EDU>]

Regardless of the size and weight of the wire and how much current
you are able to put through it, it's not going to levitate.  The
student can demonstrate the force of repulsion (or attraction)
between the two current-carrying wires, but levitation is not
possible because you cannot have a position of stable equilibrium.
In the kind of apparatus Karl was suggesting, the wire (or coil of
wire) is supported mechanically so that there is only one degree of
motion.  Wolfgang



> I have talked to the student again.
> He wants to direct current through one wire and have the magnetic fie=
> ld of that wire levitate a different wire on top.
> He was initially using a 1 kilogram wire, which I was like what kind =
> of wire is that?
> He is now going to use a 2 gram wire. =20
> The school's power supply can only supply 6 A.
>
> I am not really sure what gauge wire to use or what potential differe=
> nce....
>
> Tina
>
> Tina Fanetti
> Physics Instructor
> Western Iowa Technical Community College
> 4647 Stone Ave
> Sioux City IA 51102
> 712-274-8733 ext 1429