It May Looks Like Magic, But It's Just Science!

The idea that something so intangible can lift objects can seem unbelievable, but it's a real phenomenon.

This phenomenon takes advantage of the properties of sound to cause solids, liquids and heavy gases to float.

The process can take place in normal or reduced gravity. In other words, sound can levitate objects on Earth or in gas-filled enclosures in space.

A team of researchers in Switzerland have developed a way of levitating and transporting small objects using nothing but sound.

Levitation of objects using sound has been around for a few years. If you’ve ever stood in front of a large speaker you’ll know that they can pump out what feels like quite a forceful blast of air as they vibrate - but, somewhat deceptively, that’s not quite the whole story.

Using ultrasonic waves – that is, sound waves whose frequency is too high for humans to hear – scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich have made water droplets, instant coffee crystals, styrofoam flakes, and a toothpick, among other objects, hang in midair, move along a plane, and interact with each other.

It is the first time that scientists have been able to use sound to simultaneously levitate several objects next to each other and move them around.

Can't wait for car levitation...But I guess that too high expectation considering the weight! However this is pretty cool!

Credits: Mysteries of the Box

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