What is the Meissner Effect ?

What is the Meissner Effect ?

Meissner Effect Definition

The Meissner effect is defined as the expulsion of magnetic fields from a superconductor when it is cooled below its critical temperature.

Discovery and Experiment

German physicists Walther Meissner and Robert Ochsenfeld discovered the Meissner effect in 1933 through experiments with tin and lead samples.

Meissner State

The Meissner state occurs when a superconductor expels external magnetic fields, creating a state with zero magnetic field inside.

Critical Magnetic Field

A superconductor returns to its normal state if the magnetic field exceeds the critical magnetic field, which varies with temperature.

Application of Meissner Effect

The application of the Meissner effect in magnetic levitation is crucial for high-speed bullet trains, allowing them to float above tracks and reduce friction.