How does Diamagnetic Levitation Work?
A large magnet above the small levitating magnet provides a lifting force to counteract gravity. The tiny, super-powerful levitating magnet is stable horizontally (it tries to stay centered in the big magnet’s field) but unstable vertically–it tries to fly up and destroy itself on the big lifter magnet. The diamagnetic material provides vertical stability using the weak, reverse magnetic field that is induced in it by the small magnet. With gravity compensated for by the big magnet, the diamagnetic effect is enough to levitate the magnet. The effect will also work in reverse…the small levitating magnet can be “suspended” underneath a diamagnetic block. This can be done using your fingers as the diamagnetic material (though it is a bit tricky)–but please use caution around strong magnets or you’ll get pinched.
