Levitation (physics)

Levitation is the suspension of an object against gravity without visible mechanical support. It occurs when forces such as magnetism, sound, or electrostatics balance the object's weight.

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Magnetic levitation: Suspension of an object by magnetic forces that counteract gravity. Magnetic fields can support objects through attraction, repulsion, or induced currents.
Gravitational force: The attractive interaction between masses, responsible for an object's weight near Earth. Levitation must provide an opposing force equal to the object's weight.
Maglev train: A train that uses magnetic forces for suspension and, in many designs, propulsion. It scales magnetic levitation to carry vehicles along a guideway.
Buoyancy: The upward force exerted by a fluid on an immersed or floating object. Floating can look like levitation, but it depends on support from a surrounding fluid.
Acoustic levitation: Suspension of small objects using forces from intense sound waves. Acoustic radiation pressure can balance gravity without magnetic or electrical charge.
Normal force: A contact force exerted by a surface perpendicular to that surface. Ordinary support comes from contact, unlike the noncontact forces used in levitation.
Diamagnetic levitation: Suspension produced when a diamagnetic material is repelled by a magnetic field gradient. It can levitate small objects, including water-rich biological samples, without active feedback.
Aerodynamic lift: An aerodynamic force perpendicular to fluid flow that can support an aircraft in flight. Flight balances weight through moving air and is not usually called levitation.
Electrostatic levitation: Suspension of a charged object by electric forces from applied fields. Electric fields supply the upward force, often with active control to stabilize the object.
Magnetic field: A field produced by magnets, electric currents, and changing electric fields that acts on magnetic materials and moving charges. Its spatial pattern determines the strength and direction of magnetic support.