Rising Force

James D. Livingston

Published by Harvard University Press 2011

Rising Force

The Magic of Magnetic Levitation

James D. Livingston

https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674061095

Overview
Contents

About this book

From Peter Pan to Harry Potter, from David Copperfield to levitating toys, there is magic in conquering gravity. In this first-ever popular introduction to “maglev”— the use of magnetic forces to overcome gravity and friction—James D. Livingston takes lay readers on a journey of discovery, from basic concepts to today’s most thrilling applications.

The tour begins with examples of our historical fascination with levitation, both real and fake. At the next stop, Livingston introduces readers to the components of maglev: gravitational and magnetic forces in the universe, force fields, diamagnetism and stabilization, superdiamagnetism and supercurrents, maglev nanotechnology, and more. He explores the development of the superconductors that are making large-scale levitation devices possible, and the use of magnetic bearings in products ranging from implanted blood pumps to wind turbines, integrated circuit fabrication, and centrifuges to enrich uranium. In the last chapters, we arrive at the science behind maglev transportation systems, such as Chinese trains that travel 250 miles per hour without touching the tracks.

Packed with fascinating anecdotes about the colorful personalities who have “fought friction by fighting gravity,” the book maintains accuracy throughout while it entertains and informs technical and nontechnical readers alike. With so many new applications for magnetic levitation on the horizon, Rising Force is sure to retain its own magic for years to come.

Author information

LivingstonJames D.:

James D. Livingston is a former physicist at GE and lecturer at MIT, and the author of Driving Force: The Natural Magic of Magnets.

Reviews

This book is an extensive compendium of everything you might want to know about levitation of things both animate and inanimate. James Livingston is a master of this genre in that he presents quite difficult concepts with humor, history, and detail while always maintaining technical accuracy.
-- Fred Fickett, Chief, NIST Magnetic Technology Division (Ret.)

A well-written, factual account of magnetic levitation and accompanying lore over the ages, Rising Force is a welcome addition to Livingston's previous books on magnetics.
-- Ralph Hollis, Research Professor, The Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University

No, MIT professor Livingston writes, the magnetically levitated island in Gulliver's Travels (or its homage in Avatar) is not possible...But while Jonathan Swift's version of levitation is science fiction, it and other cultural examples dot this accessible illustration of the physics that allow for real-life wonders like maglev trains.
-- Discover

Further proof that physics can be fun...Think of Peter Pan, David Copperfield, and Harry Potter. Livingston, a physicist and lecturer at MIT who writes songs about physics, looks at the historical fascination with levitation, both real and fake, and explores the use of magnetic forces to overcome gravity and friction in flying frogs, implanted heart pumps, and high-speed trains.
-- Jan Gardner Boston Globe

Giving a new meaning to literary suspense, physicist James Livingston devotes his book to the science of magnetic levitation. From laboratory demonstrations of floating magnets, flying frogs and suspended sumo wrestlers to the realities of urban maglev trains, he uncovers humanity's fascination with the magic of defying gravity, as well as the physics of magnetic fields and superconductivity.
-- Nature

General science and technology buffs will find this accessible book fascinating and might be tempted to try a little levitation themselves.
-- Publishers Weekly

If you thought magnetic levitation was mostly about flying trains, then read Rising Force. Former physicist at GE and lecturer at MIT, James D. Livingston can barely conceal his excitement, and dry sense of humor, as he takes his readers on a whistle-stop tour of everything "maglev."
-- Rebecca Pool Engineering & Technology

I can easily recommend this title. It's a good insight into an aspect of much of modern technology, with enough surrounding material to keep it entertaining to read.
-- Matt Chorley Popular Science

Topics

Frontmatter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	i
Contents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	v
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
1. Levity vs. Gravity Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Gravitational and Magnetic Forces Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	19
3. Maglev–A Balance of Forces Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	33
4. Spinning the Levitron Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	48
5. Inducing Uplift Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	64
6. Flying Frogs Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	83
7. Super-Levitation Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	101
8. Feeding Back Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	120
9. In a Spin Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	143
10. The No-Spin Zone Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	167
11. Flying Trains Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	188
12. All Aboard! Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	210
13. Keeping It Up Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	231
Sources and Suggested Readings Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	249
Acknowledgments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	259
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	263

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Audience: General/trade;
Pages
- Main content: 288
Illustrations
- Other: 33 halftones, 5 line illustrations

eBook

Published: September 1, 2011
ISBN: 9780674061095