Levitation (physics): Difference between revisions

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	] levitating over a ] material.]]		] levitating over a ] material.]]

	'''Levitation''' (from ] ''levis'', light) is the process by which an object is suspended against ], in a stable position, by a ] without ].		'''Levitation''' (from ] ''levis'', light) is the ] by which an ] is ] against ], in a ] ], by a ] without ].

	Western science acknowledges that this can be achieved through ~~jets~~ of gas pushing upwards against the object (as in ]), or pushing downwards from the object (as in ]s, ] aircraft, and ]), while levitation is also a part of some ~~eastern~~ ~~religions~~ and ~~magical~~ ~~beliefs~~.		] ] acknowledges that this can be achieved through ]s of ] pushing upwards against the object (as in ]), or pushing downwards from the object (as in ]s, ] ], and ]), while levitation is also a part of some ] ]s and ]al ]s.

	A sphere can be stably levitated in a stream of air without any type of control system, if ~~conditions~~ are right. These ~~effects~~ are due to ]. This was ~~merchandised~~ as a toy, circa ].		A ] can be stably levitated in a stream of ] without any type of ], if ]s are right. These ]s are due to ]. This was ]d as a ], circa ].

	Objects with the right properties can be levitated without even indirect contact through the use of ] or ]s. Technically, we are in a state of constant levitation, since ~~our~~ body ~~exerts~~ a force on physical bodies and they exert one in return (], the third ~~one~~). So ~~our~~ bodies never actually come into contact with another object.		Objects with the right properties can be levitated without even indirect contact through the use of ] or ]s. Technically, (]s) are in a ] of constant levitation, since their ] ] a force on physical bodies and they exert one in return (]). So, their bodies never actually come into contact with another object.

	Some claim there are other ways - using methods not yet known to modern ] - to levitate objects. These may include ] or ]-related methods of raising an object off the ground. Perhaps the most ~~stereotypically~~ famous example is of ~~monks~~ and/or religious people that live a ] life levitating at will, a today-common element, almost a ], in ] involving monks. It is said that the Christian theologian ] was seen levitating after a mystical experience. The numerous stories involving religious or religion-related or induced levitation suggest that "true" or unaided (by apparent, or, at least, ~~earthly~~ ]) levitation may be a divine act or consequence of a divine revelation.		Some people claim there are other ways--using methods not yet known to modern science--to levitate objects. These may include ] or ]-related methods of raising an object off the ground. Perhaps the most ]ly famous example is of ]s and/or religious people that live a ] life levitating at will, a today-common element , almost a ], in ] involving monks. It is said that the ] ] ] was seen levitating after a mystical experience. The numerous ] involving religious or religion-related/-induced levitation suggest that "true" or unaided (by apparent, or, at least, ]ly ]) levitation may be a ] act or consequence of a divine ].

	"Levitation" is also used in reference to an apparent levitation.		"Levitation" is also used in reference to an apparent levitation.

	The original use of the word was to refer to such inexplicable claims, as in wonder stories and unauthenticated reports; the use of the word to describe an actual, physical means of "making things float in the air" is a recent development.		The original use of the word was to refer to such inexplicable claims, as in ] and unauthenticated reports; the use of the word to describe an actual, physical means of "making things float in the air" is a recent development.

	{{physics-stub}}		{{physics-stub}}

	== See ~~also~~ ==		== See Also ==

	* Physical ~~effects~~		* ] Effects
	** ] (rail systems etc)		** ] (rail systems etc)
	** ]		** ]
	* Magic Illusions		* Magic Illusions
	** ]		** ]
⚫	** ]
	** ]		** ]
	** ]		** ]
	** ]
⚫	** ]
	** ]
	** ]		** ]
	** ]		** ]
	** ]		** ]
⚫	** ]
	** ]		** ]
	** ]		** ]
		⚫	** ]
		⚫	** ]/]
			* ]s
			** ]
			** ]
		⚫	** ]
	** ]		** ]
			* Other
	* ] (by means not known to modern science, such as ] and the ])		* ] (by means not known to modern science, such as ] and the ])
	* ] is also the name of a band.		* ] is also the name of a band.
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Revision as of 08:41, 18 May 2006

Levitation (from Latin levis, light) is the process by which an object is suspended against gravity, in a stable position, by a force without physical contact.

Western science acknowledges that this can be achieved through jets of gas pushing upwards against the object (as in air hockey), or pushing downwards from the object (as in helicopters, VTOL aircraft, and hovercraft), while levitation is also a part of some Eastern religions and magical beliefs.

A sphere can be stably levitated in a stream of air without any type of control system, if conditions are right. These effects are due to Bernoulli's principle. This was merchandised as a toy, circa 1960.

Objects with the right properties can be levitated without even indirect contact through the use of magnetic or electric forces. Technically, (human beings) are in a state of constant levitation, since their bodies exert a force on physical bodies and they exert one in return (Newton's third law). So, their bodies never actually come into contact with another object.

Some people claim there are other ways--using methods not yet known to modern science--to levitate objects. These may include mystical or magick-related methods of raising an object off the ground. Perhaps the most stereotypically famous example is of monks and/or religious people that live a hermetic life levitating at will, a today-common element , almost a cliche, in fiction involving monks. It is said that the Christian theologian Thomas Aquinas was seen levitating after a mystical experience. The numerous stories involving religious or religion-related/-induced levitation suggest that "true" or unaided (by apparent, or, at least, earthly forces) levitation may be a divine act or consequence of a divine revelation.

"Levitation" is also used in reference to an apparent levitation.

The original use of the word was to refer to such inexplicable claims, as in wonder stories and unauthenticated reports; the use of the word to describe an actual, physical means of "making things float in the air" is a recent development.

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Revision as of 08:41, 18 May 2006

See Also