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How to Creatively Use a Levitron for Magnetism Demonstrations

video How to Creatively Use a Levitron for Magnetism Demonstrations

The Levitron spins and surfs on magnetic waves! Pass your hand above, underneath, and around the top. It will continue to spin and float only touching air! The LEVITRON floats free in space, supported only by the repelling magnetic force produced by permanent magnets.

34 comments

Nov 17, 2011. 10:53 AMarmando9099 says:

MM hey one question... Can the temperature variations affect?

Feb 23, 2008. 8:51 AMkyleboy1993 says:

if you put it in a complete vacuum it should keep going because there would be no friction.

Nov 18, 2010. 3:10 PMhorribleengineer says:

No, even a complete vacuum will not work, for a lot of the tops energy wiil be lost to the vibrations of the smallest defects

Apr 15, 2008. 12:05 PMcasey321b says:

that would be sweet. but the vacuum couldn't take all of the stuff out so it would have to stop at some point.

Jul 15, 2009. 11:24 AMchickenlinux says:

well, yeah, but if it was a complete vacuum like kyleboy1993 was saying, it wouldn't. Sadly, we don't really know how to make a complete vacuum...

Sep 5, 2009. 8:26 AMHerehaveawaffle says:

What if you used a non-material container that wasn't magnetism.can they create a perfect vacuum and can they exist without magnets?

Nov 29, 2009. 2:36 PMnetgrazer says:

Maybe with big friggin' lasers?

May 4, 2010. 5:11 PMAlgag says:

non material container? like antimatter!!?? XD

Jun 22, 2010. 9:07 AMnatman3400 says:

Well a perfect vacuum is COMPLETELY impossible. Even the deepest of deep space still has about one atom per meter. But the chances of the top hitting that atom are so small, your great times 8* grandchildren would be dead before it would even begin to slow noticeably. * Hyperbole, but still could be true

Jul 5, 2010. 6:34 AMAlgag says:

see even that one atom per meter would be nearly impossible ... for example with one atom per meter i could just walk in there with a box take off the lid and put it back on and the chance of me hitting that one atom in that whole meter btw do you mean meters cubed or what cause technically there are 0 atoms in a meter

Apr 17, 2011. 10:59 AMGlobalVillageIdiot says:

The reason a perfect vacuum is impossible is that even if you could remove that one atom per cubic meter, space is still filled with virtual particles. These particles, and their anti-matter counterparts flash into and out of existence constantly (but always add up to 0, which is why they don't violate the 2nd law of thermodynamics). They can't be removed from space since they are an inherent characteristic of space. The contribute enough 'pressure' to keep us from obtaining a perfect vacuum.

Apr 29, 2011. 2:23 PMMunin says:

Even if you had a perfect vacuum there would still be loss of energy due to radiation. which would come about simply because there is a moving electrical charge (i.e. the magnet, as even permanent magnets are magnetic due to the spin of an electron). Also their is the zero energy problem stated above (i.e. total vacuums have a spaced energy levels that cause spontaneous radiation/creation& annihilation of particles.)

Jan 7, 2010. 12:41 PMPikminRed says:

I HAVE ONE YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but i cant get it to levitate boo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sep 19, 2009. 8:35 AMtrevyboy says:

where can i get one?

Sep 8, 2009. 5:05 PMTOCO says:

There is a product by the manufacture that allows it to constantly run as long as the power doesnt go away for more than about 4 minutes. It is called the perpetuator. just go to http://fascinations.com/unique-toys-gifts/levitron-accessories.htm .

May 23, 2008. 12:26 PMJAKEjones1 says:

that is so freeking sweet! where do you get one of those? please reply i collect wierd things like you do and i want to add this to my collection! please reply!

Aug 15, 2009. 2:38 PMbears0 says:

just google levitron :D

Nov 12, 2008. 4:01 PMbob the builder #1 says:

innovatoys sells them for thirty dollars.

Jul 9, 2008. 4:01 PMcodongolev says:

you buy them off the internet, at science stores, etc. it's called a levitron.

May 12, 2009. 5:24 PMtanmanknex says:

I love the ending part! this isn't really an instructable as much as a how does it work thing... it's still great!!!

Feb 28, 2009. 6:04 PMTOCO says:

what weights did you use? what weights did you use? what weights did you use?

Oct 9, 2008. 12:19 AMreido says:

It would be fun to make a big slow spinning one with a laser pointer on it and let it rip inside a room full of cats... Just need to figure out a way to harness the cat power!

Nov 27, 2008. 11:59 PMwolf555hound says:

its called.... i have no idea..i call dibs on the invention whoever makes! lol

Aug 8, 2008. 8:30 AMfirefighter1333 says:

so how did it taste? lol

Jul 20, 2008. 3:52 PMsotsirh194 says:

That's funny I have the exact same floater at the beginning of the video that was in the bottom left hand corner.

May 9, 2008. 8:17 PM

duct tape says:

lol, he ate it!

Jan 31, 2008. 10:43 PMThe Expert Noob says:

(removed by author or community request)

Apr 19, 2008. 12:18 PMdontwealllovebuda92 says:

no its a levitron that youtcan buy of line $29.95 hey thats not that bad for something like this go here: http://www.innovatoys.com/p/LEV/LEV20

Apr 15, 2008. 12:03 PMcasey321b says:

I like the one where he uses a beaker. that is cool!!!

Apr 5, 2008. 2:32 PMjoey2542667 says:

that was on mythbusters!

Feb 22, 2008. 3:28 AM

PKM says:

I was so impressed with this science toy that I googled it to find out where I could get one.. and found this text on the Levitron product homepage: "Spin the top - and watch it float! The Levitron spins and surfs on magnetic waves! Pass your hand above, underneath, and around the top. It will continue to spin and float only touching air! The LEVITRON floats free in space, supported only by the repelling magnetic force produced by permanent magnets" You get a - for blatant product advertising with no real Instructable content.