Evaluation of magnetically levitated spinning top and magnetic levitation with a bulk high T/sub c/ superconductor

Properties of a magnetically levitated spinning top are examined by experimental and numerical analyses. Summary of the experiment for undergraduate students are reported. Vertical levitation force is calculated with ring current model, and horizontal restoring force is evaluated from eddy current analysis with the finite element circuit method. Levitation of a magnet on a bulk high T/sub c/ superconductor is also discussed from comparison with the levitation of the spinning top.