Unraveling The Mystery of Superconductivity

Vikingod · Jan 3, 2008, 02:18 PM

Source: DailyTech
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One of the greatest mysteries of science is superconductivity. Superconductivity, a term that entered popular lexicon with the advent of magnetic levitation, is an incredible phenomenon. At extremely low temperatures certain materials known as superconductors lose almost all resistance to electricity and experience exclusion of the inner magnetic field -- also known the Meissner Effect.

Traditional electric-conducting materials such as gold or copper have impurities that prevent them from superconducting. These materials have a discrete resistance, even at absolute zero -- a theoretical point of zero Kelvins, or -273.14 degrees Celsius. Superconductors experience resistance down to a critical temperature, known as Tc. Once the temperature drops to this point, the materials begin to superconducting and reach a point of zero resistance.

Jan 3, 2008, 02:18 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Unraveling The Mystery of Superconductivity Source: DailyTech ___________ One of the greatest mysteries of science is superconductivity. Superconductivity, a term that entered popular lexicon with the advent of magnetic levitation, is an incredible phenomenon. At extremely low temperatures certain materials known as superconductors lose almost all resistance to electricity and experience exclusion of the inner magnetic field -- also known the Meissner Effect. Traditional electric-conducting materials such as gold or copper have impurities that prevent them from superconducting. These materials have a discrete resistance, even at absolute zero -- a theoretical point of zero Kelvins, or -273.14 degrees Celsius. Superconductors experience resistance down to a critical temperature, known as Tc. Once the temperature drops to this point, the materials begin to superconducting and reach a point of zero resistance.