Levitation

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"Levitate" redirects here. There are other articles with similar names; see Levitation (disambiguation)

A cubical magnet levitating over a superconducting material (this is known as the Meissner effect).

Levitation (from Latin levis, light) is the process by which an object is suspended against gravity, in a stable position, by a force without physical contact.

Levitation pronounced (levitayshun) is the raising of a human being without any physical aid.

It is also a popular conjuring trick, the illusion being produced by clever mechanics, lighting arrangements or other means.

[edit] Physics

On earth all that is required for levitation is a force vertically upwards equal to the object's weight. This can be achieved through many different means, for example magnetic, electrostatic (i.e. electrically charged objects) or aerodynamic forces. Aerodynamic levitation is commonly seen in air hockey where jets of gas from the table push upwards against the puck. Levitating objects may also force air downwards e.g. Helicopters, VTOL aircraft, and hovercraft.

A sphere can be stably levitated in a stream of air without any type of control system, if conditions are right. These effects are due to Bernoulli's principle. This was merchandised as a toy, circa 1960.

[edit] Paranormal and religious beliefs

The concept of levitation is also a part of some Eastern religions and magical beliefs.

Some beliefs include ideas that there are paranormal ways to levitate objects. These may include mystical or magic-related methods of raising an object off the ground. Perhaps the most famous example is of monks and/or religious people that live a hermetic life levitating at will, a common element in hagiography.^{[citation needed]} The numerous stories involving mystical levitation suggest that "true" or unaided (by apparent, or, at least, earthly forces) levitation may be a divine act or consequence of a divine revelation.

"Levitation" is also used in reference to an apparent levitation.

In science fiction and fantasy, some fictional characters possess the power to lift themselves above the ground via levitation. Example: Phoebe Halliwell in Charmed.

[edit] History

The original use of the word was to refer to such inexplicable claims, as in wonder stories and unauthenticated reports; the use of the word to describe an actual, physical means of "making things float in the air" is a recent development.

[edit] See also

• Magnetic levitation
• Magical levitation techniques
  • Balducci levitation
  • Sooperman
  • King levitation
  • Mike Bent's Zero Gravity
• Gravifugal levitation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Agravity