Superconductors

1057 Words3 Pages

Superconductivity is a property displayed by certain materials at very low temperatures. Metals and their alloys have been known to be superconductive (ex. Tin, aluminum) other materials that have also been found to be superconductive are ceramics which contain copper and oxygen atoms. Superconductors have a special property which is that they can conduct electricity without resistance which means that energy is not lost. Once in motion, energy can flow through a closed loop of superconductive material forever. Superconductivity is the closest thing to perpetual motion.

b)Superconductivity is related to quantum mechanics because in order for superconductors to work you must get all electrons into a single quantum state. This requires to electrons to be paired together, to make the electrons a composite particle both electrons need to have no spin, or spin in the same direction. Quantum mechanics does not support this idea because electrons cannot be made to have zero spin or to spin in the same direction. Also, in order to explain electrical resistivity in terms of electron collisions was impossible because measuring the location and velocity of an electron simultaneously could not be done. This is why quantum mechanics couldn’t support or explain superconductivity.

2. A) Superconductors can only work at extremely low temperatures. Low temperature superconductors work at about 30K, and high temperature superconductors work at about 70K to 138K; these superconductors are almost always made of ceramics. In superconductors electrons bind to each other in arrangements called copper pairs. Electrons in these copper pairs flow endlessly without resistance. Temperature plays a vital part in superconductivity because in ord...

... middle of paper ...

...gzc-1OTI1ZzZ4h7

4. Charles Choi. Scientific American. (2008). Iron Exposed as High-Temperature Superconductor Retrieved from,http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=iron-exposed-as-high-temp-superconductor

5. Edmonds,M., & Gould,T.A.(,October 25). How an MRI Works. Retrieved February, 2011, from Discovery Health: http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/tests-treatment/mri.htm

6. How strong are the magntes in an MRI machine? ( 2001, August 9). Retrieved February 16, 2011, from HowStuffWorks: http://www.howstuffworks.com/question698.htm

7. MAGLEV 2000. (2001, January 1). Mach 3 Maglev. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from Maglev 2000: http//www.maglev2000.com/apps/apps-03.htm

8. Shiel Jr, W.C. (2008, October 25). Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from MedicineNet.com: http//www.medicinenet.com/mri_scan/article.htm

Open Document