Happy Atheist Forum

General => Science => Topic started by: wildfire_emissary on October 19, 2011, 03:26:08 PM

Title: Quantum Levitation
Post by: wildfire_emissary on October 19, 2011, 03:26:08 PM
Is the science behind this true? I am so ignorant of quantum physics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws6AAhTw7RA
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: Crow on October 19, 2011, 03:56:58 PM
That's so frickin' good.
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: Attila on October 19, 2011, 04:25:35 PM
Awesome! Thanks for that.
Attila
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: Tank on October 19, 2011, 04:28:59 PM
One could say it's super cool!
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: DeterminedJuliet on October 19, 2011, 04:42:15 PM
Super cool!
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: xSilverPhinx on October 19, 2011, 05:06:47 PM
Superconducting cool.  8)
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: Attila on October 19, 2011, 05:09:04 PM
Absolute zero!  8)
Attila
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: Tank on October 19, 2011, 06:05:21 PM
Quote from: Attila on October 19, 2011, 05:09:04 PM
Absolute zero!  8)
Attila
Now that's just going tooooo far!  :-*
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: Norfolk And Chance on October 24, 2011, 12:42:02 AM
Quote from: wildfire_emissary on October 19, 2011, 03:26:08 PM
Is the science behind this true?

Well, what does the evidence tell you?  ;) I was watching a TV programme the other day showing the same thing - yes it's real science with demonstrable effects.
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on October 24, 2011, 02:33:21 AM
Quote from: Norfolk And Chance on October 24, 2011, 12:42:02 AM
Quote from: wildfire_emissary on October 19, 2011, 03:26:08 PM
Is the science behind this true?

Well, what does the evidence tell you?  ;) I was watching a TV programme the other day showing the same thing - yes it's real science with demonstrable effects.

This is phenomenal.  A few years ago someone might have scoffed at the possibility of such a thing, yet there it is (assuming it has not been super-photo-shopped, which I assume it has not - looks pretty real).  Some things that seem "supernatural" turn out to have quite natural explanations - we just don't always know about them yet.
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: Attila on October 24, 2011, 03:09:43 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on October 24, 2011, 02:33:21 AM
Some things that seem "supernatural" turn out to have quite natural explanations - we just don't always know about them yet.
Change the "some" to "all" and we can sign the agreement and go home. Our work is done.  :)
Title: Re: Quantum Levitation
Post by: Norfolk And Chance on October 24, 2011, 01:13:29 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on October 24, 2011, 02:33:21 AM
Quote from: Norfolk And Chance on October 24, 2011, 12:42:02 AM
Quote from: wildfire_emissary on October 19, 2011, 03:26:08 PM
Is the science behind this true?

Well, what does the evidence tell you?  ;) I was watching a TV programme the other day showing the same thing - yes it's real science with demonstrable effects.

This is phenomenal.  A few years ago someone might have scoffed at the possibility of such a thing, yet there it is (assuming it has not been super-photo-shopped, which I assume it has not - looks pretty real).  Some things that seem "supernatural" turn out to have quite natural explanations - we just don't always know about them yet.

Well there is a scientific explanation for the levitation (don't ask me to explain, I'm not a scientist) which is how they managed to levitate the object in the first place. This was never something that looked supernatural because it was designed in an experiment. I think it doesn't work unless the object is cooled to the temperature of liquid nitrogen and somehow gains superconductivity which locks it in place to the magnet.