Description: Students measure the electrical resistance of a normal conductor and a high-temperature superconductor (Bi-2223). They study the Meissner-Ochsenfeld-Effect and the Flux-Pinning-Effect.
Before taking part in this experiment, students should already know about
- electrical resistance in normal conductors and superconductors (qualitatively)
- magnetic fields, ferromagnets, diamagnets, electromagnetic induction and eddy currents
- Cooper pairs (optional)
What students will learn:
- how to distinguish electrical resistance - temperature curves of different materials
- similarities and differences between Meissner-Ochsenfeld-Effect and the Flux-Pinning-Effect
- how to build a magnetic track for a levitating superconductor
Link to CERN physics: The LHC uses several thousand special superconducting electromagnets. Superconductive materials such as NbTi allow extremely high currents in these electromagnets, generating a magnetic field of several Tesla. CERN is also testing new material to build even stronger superconducting electromagnets for the next generation of particle accelerators.
Availability: Can be included in the S'Cool LAB Days at CERN itinerary.
Minimum age: 17
Recommended age: 17-19