Stable magnetic levitation in SP 3.2, model included

[Evan]

Stable levitation of static permanent magnets using only such magnets is prohibited by the laws of physics as proven by Earnshaw's Theorem. Note that diamagnetic materials and superconductors are not permanent magnets. In SketchyPhysics 3.2 magnets may be made repulsive by assigning a negative magnetic value to the magnet property. These magnets are however unipolar, whereas real magnets are always bipolar. Because of this simplification that makes it possible to calculate in real time it is also possible to make a stable levitating array.

This opens some interesting possibilities such as a model of a maglev train as well as a propulsion method for projectiles. An easy model of a air hockey table is also a possibility. Hovercraft and other antigravity devices can also be modeled.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=277f0f6a2929b1f0e845c056d1647575&ct=mdsa