Superconductivity Essay -- essays research papers

SuperconductivityINTRODUCTIONWeve completely heard about superconductivity. But, do we all know what it is?How it works and what argon its uses? To start talking about superconductivity, we essential try to understand the how "normal" conductivity works. This leave behind make it a good deal easier to understand how the "super" part functions. In the followingparagraphs, I go out-of-door explain how superconductivity works, many of the currentproblems and some examples of its uses.CONDUCTIVITYConductivity is the cleverness of a substance to carry galvanizingity. Somesubstances like copper, aluminium, silver and lucky do it very well. They arecalled conductors. Others conduct electricity partially and they are calledsemi-conductors. The concept of electric transmission is very simple tounderstand. The wire that conducts the electric current is made of atoms whichhave equal numbers of protons and electrons making the atoms electricallyneutral. If this balance i s disturbed by gain or loss of electrons, the atomswill become electrically charged and are called ions. Electrons occupy energystates. each level contains a certain amount of energy. For an electron to touchto a higher level, it will require the estimable amount of energy. Electrons canmove between different levels and between different materials plainly to do that,they require the right amount of energy and an "empty" expansion s crew in the solidification theyenter. The metallic conductors have a lot of these slots and this is where thefree electrons will spot when voltage (energy) is applied. A simpler way to lookat this is to think of atoms line up in a straight line (wire). if we add anelectron to the maiden atom of the line, that atom would have an excess ofelectrons so it releases an former(a) electron which will go to the second atom andthe process repeats once again and again until an electron pops out from the end ofthe wire. We can then say that conduct ivity of an electrical current is simplyelectrons moving from one empty slot to a nonher in the atoms outer shells.The problem with these conductors is the fact that they do non let all thecurrent get through. Whenever an electric current flows, it encounters someresistance, which changes the electrical energy into heat. This is what causesthe wires to heat. The conductors become themselves like a resistance but anunwanted one. This explains why lone(prenominal) 95% of the power... ...vious afterwards. Its as if the train was " surfing" on waves ofvoltage.THE MAGSHIPAnother interesting application is what is referred to as the magship. Thisship has no engine, no propellers and no rudder. It has a unique power sourcewhich is electromagnetism. The root on the boat creates a current whichtravels from one electrode to another which go underwater on each side of theship. This makes the water electrically charged. This only works in salt waterbecause pure water would not condu ct the current. The magnets which are locatedon the bottom of the ship would pay off a magnetic field which will push thewater away making the ship move forward. There are a lot of problems relatedwith that. The magnetic field could attract metallic objects and even otherships causing many accidents.CONCLUSIONAs time goes by, transition temperature, lively field (maximum magneticfield intensity that a superconductor can nurse before failing), currentcapacity and all other problems are up(a) slowly. But, at least they showthat we are moving in the right direction. A lot of people are gettinginterested in that field since it promises a lot for the future.