Mark Miodownik explores the amazing properties of superconductors.
He shows how superconductivity can make a magnet levitate above a piece of ceramic (yttrium barium copper oxide).
This phenomenon is known as the 'Meissner effect'.
Mark also discuss the incredible potential superconductors could have in our lives in the future.
This clip is from Materials: How They Work.
Teacher Notes
This clip could be used to look at the future of electricity generation and transport.
It could be used as a homework stimulus looking at the future of the national grid and possible loss of power.
It could also be used to consider how the superconductor effect can be linked into the motor effect and Fleming's left hand rule, by considering how the magnet seems to float.
Curriculum Notes
These clips will be relevant for teaching Chemistry at KS3 and GCSE/KS4 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 4/5 or Higher in Scotland. The topics discussed will support OCR, Edexcel, AQA, WJEC GCSE in GCSE in England and Wales, CCEA GCSE in Northern Ireland and SQA National 4/5 and Higher in Scotland, and Cambridge IGCSE Physics
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