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Chapter 9: Problem 36

Describe two main features of a superconductor.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The two main features of a superconductor are: 1. Zero electrical resistance: Superconductors, when cooled to their critical temperature, allow electric current to flow without any energy loss, leading to maximum efficiency and no heat generation. 2. Meissner effect: Superconductors expel external magnetic fields when cooled below their critical temperature, forcing magnetic field lines to flow around the material, resulting in phenomena like magnetic levitation and magnetic shielding.

Step by step solution

01

1. Zero Electrical Resistance

A superconductor is a material that, when cooled down to a certain critical temperature, has zero electrical resistance. In other words, the material allows electric current to flow through it without any loss of energy. This is a significant feature because it means that superconductors can conduct electricity with maximum efficiency, without generating any heat or waste energy.
02

2. The Meissner Effect

Another important feature of a superconductor is the Meissner effect, which refers to the ability of superconductors to expel magnetic fields. When a superconductor is cooled below its critical temperature, any external magnetic field is entirely expelled from the material. As a result, the magnetic field lines are forced to flow around the superconductor, leading to an effect known as "magnetic levitation." This feature has significant implications in various applications, such as magnetic levitation trains and magnetic shielding in sensitive scientific experiments.

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