Inclined Levitron experiments
Abstract
An inclined Levitron demonstration serves to illustrate macroscopically the basic non-quantum mechanical principle of nuclear magnetic resonance. By tuning a "rotary driver" to either the precession or the nutation frequency, the levitated top is made to precess or nutate visibly. By reflecting the beam from a laser-pointer off the Levitron, cycloidal pictures of the induced motion are obtained. Steady inclination at a steep angle is demonstrated in contrast to rotating inclination. Levitron traps are analogous to particle traps. Inclined or horizontal axis operation could lead to nearly frictionless bearings.
- Publication:
-
American Journal of Physics
- Pub Date:
- November 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1119/1.4742756
- Bibcode:
- 2012AmJPh..80..949M
- Keywords:
-
- NMR imaging;
- physics education;
- student experiments;
- 01.50.Wg;
- 41.00.00;
- Physics of toys;
- Electromagnetism;
- electron and ion optics