From this question, we seen that when d = d1 , the magnetic forces would cancel o the weight mg , so we have that:

42 Generally, superconducting materials would always repel = mg. 4F (d1 ) = mg magnetic eld lines. So for this problem, the magnetic ux 40 d2 1 would somehow trapped inside the circular hole, hence the Let us consider the plate undergo perturbation with small eld lines would not cut through the plate. Based on the amplitude of d1 , so that d = d1 + d1 , where d1 d1 . Faradays law, we can see clearly the rate of changing of 2 ux is zero, such that the magnetic ux is this system 2 d1 2 1+ F = is conserved: 2 = 4 d2 d1 0 1 40 (d1 + d1 ) d = IR, = dt n Using the Binomial simplication, (1 + x) 1 + nx: since the resistance of superconductor is zero (R = 0), we later have that d1 2 12 . F 2 40 d1 d1 d = 0 = const. dt Now, based on the Newtons II law in vertical direction, The eld-lines near the air gap are straighten, approx42 imated to horizontal lines, due to the narrow-width re4F (d1 ) mg = ma d1 = a. 4m0 d3 1 pulsion of magnetic eld lines with the superconducting plate and levitated surface. This is because the distance d 2 The above is in analogous with a = 0 d, which in fact is much small that the magnetic eld lines squeeze to beshown that the plate oscillates harmonically, whereby its come almost horizontal lines. Also, since the ux must be frequency is given by: conserve, essentially the magnetic eld strength in the air gap B (x, y ) must remain constant for any values of d (i.e. 2 independent of z -direction). Near the vicinity of air gap, 0 = . m0 d3 1 we can model a cylindrical pill-box of green cross-section with eld-lines radially pointing outward. Since the ux Let us consider the situation when the load M is placed is constant, by apply Gausss law, we can write that: on plate. The equilibrium levitated height d2 when the magnetic forces cancel the weight of plate and load: = B (x, y )2rd, WoPhO Selection Round Physics Cup

Problem 10: Magnetic Levitation

42 where B (x, y )the magnetic eld inside the air gap, rthe 4F (d2 ) = mg + M g = mg + M g. 40 d2 2 radius of circular hole and dthe width of air gap. For horizontal eld lines distribution of magnetic eld in air Meanwhile, the force balance for the motion of plate with gap, in the region where the distance from the hole approx- load is given as: imately equal to the radius of hole, Circulations theorem is hold c B ds = 0. Summing up what we have so far, the 4F (d2 ) (m + M )g = (m + M )a following diagram illustrated the distribution of magnetic 42 eld B inside one of the circular hole and the air gap. d2 = a. 4(m + M )0 d3 2 B So, the frequency for this oscillation of plate with load is [Cross Sectional View ] thus given as: B=0 B=0 = 2 . (m + M )0 r2 d3 2

Based on the equilibrium equations, the relationship between air gap separations d1 and d2 can be written as: d2 = d1 m . m+M

Generally, the magnetic eld energy density as a func2 B2 Rewrite in term of 0 , m and M : tion of d is given by wB = 2 0 = 4 2 r 2 0 d2 . Later, consider that the magnetic ux is stretched vertically and m d3 m m+M 1 2 thus is displaced by a very small virtual displacement of 2 = 3 0 = m + M m + M d m d the increase in magnetic energy is given as W = 2 2 2 4 2 r 2 0 d2 r d, when the width of air gap is d. Thus, the 0.25 M vertical force F , as a function of d produced due to the in = 1 + 0 2 W m creased in magnetic eld energy is F (d) = d = 40 d2 .

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