In the realm of magic, levitation appears as a simple spell. In movies and shows, heroes raise objects with a wave of the hand or successful use of power. However, in the real world, levitation is also achievable, but through scientific methods like sound waves, magnets, and electricity. ScienceNews magazine reported on this.
Acoustic levitation employs vibrations to elevate items. Devices generate ultrasonic waves that humans cannot hear. These waves, in turn, create areas of high and low intensity in the air, which repel or hold objects in relatively still sections. Yet, such devices can only lift very light objects, such as plastic spheres.
For bulkier items, lower sound frequencies and longer wavelengths are necessary. For instance, to levitate a human, sound waves near 275 Hz and a wavelength around 1.25 m are needed. This equals bass guitar sounds, but to raise a person, the sound level must be extremely high. It’s noted that this would demand tremendous power.
Magnets allow lifting significantly heavier masses, like maglev trains. Magnetic fields can also be employed to float objects that aren’t physically attached to the magnets, but this mandates very potent fields. In 1997, researchers managed to levitate a frog using a magnetic field of 16 teslas, roughly ten times stronger than the magnets used at junkyards for hoisting vehicles.
The levitation method utilized by spiders functions differently. They acquire an electrical charge when spinning lengthy strands of silk. This enables them to ascend in Earth’s electric field, soaring several kilometers high.
While actual levitation cannot replicate the superpowers from cinema, it holds practical utility. For example, acoustic levitation might be used to process specimens in labs without contamination, and magnetic levitation to boost motor performance and prevent component wear. Scientists keep exploring novel applications for levitation across various sectors, while steering clear of destructive outcomes.
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