Superconductors
Superconductors are materials that are able to conduct electricity and transport electrons
from one atom to another with no form of resistance.1 In high temperatures, particles collide
more frequently in an object, thus releasing more energy and increasing the resistance.
Scientists have also found out that in extremely low temperatures, known as the critical
temperature, there is no resistance at all.2 When there is no resistance, it means that no type of
heat, sound or any other form of energy would be released when the material becomes
superconductive.1
Roughly half of the elements in the periodic table are considered as superconductors
although thousands of other compounds and alloys have been discovered as superconductors as
well.3 However, some require more pressure compared to others to become superconductive.1
Superconductors can be separated in two types, type 1 superconductors, and type 2
superconductors. Type 1 superconductors mainly consist of metals and metalloids that show
some conductivity at room temperature. This type requires the coldest temperature to become
superconductive. They require a cold temperature in order to slow down molecular vibration
and for the electrons to team up in “Cooper Pairs” in order to overcome the molecular
obstacles.2 4 The type 2 superconductors are comprised of metallic compounds and alloys. This
type of superconductors achieves higher critical temperature than type 1 superconductors,
although the mechanism is still unclear.4
Superconductors can be used in different applications in order to make use of their
physical properties. They have already been used in MRI machines in order to generate a large
magnetic field that gives doctors to image a patient’s body. Maglev trains in Japan were also
made using superconductivity in order to reduce resistance and achieve ultra-high speeds. The
train floats above the rail tracks using superconducting magnets in order to eliminate the friction
in between the train wheels and the railway tracks. By eliminating friction, it also reduces and
amount of energy loss in the form of heat, allowing the train to travel at high speeds. By using
1
What Is A Superconductor?, ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/113.web.stuff/travis/what_is.html. Accessed 20 May
2020.
2
"The Physics of Superconductors." YouTube, uploaded by Higgsino Physics, 3 Dec. 2018,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6FYs_AUCsQ&t=32s. Accessed 20 May 2020.
3
Woodford, Chris. “How Do Superconductors Work?” Explain That Stuff, 1 Mar. 2020,
www.explainthatstuff.com/superconductors.html#causes.
4
“Superconductors.” Superconductors, www.superconductors.org/. Accessed 20 May 2020.
superconducting technologies, hoverboards and floating cars may be invented in the near
future.5 6
Work Cited
Andrew, Elise. “Explainer: What Is A Superconductor?” IFLScience, IFLScience, 11 Mar.
2019, www.iflscience.com/physics/explainer-what-superconductor/. Accessed 20 May
2020.
Grant, Ian. “Uses of Superconductors.” Superconductivity - Uses of Superconductors,
www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2000/igrant/uses.html. Accessed 20 May 2020.
“Superconductors.” Superconductors, www.superconductors.org/. Accessed 20 May 2020.
"The Physics of Superconductors." YouTube, uploaded by Higgsino Physics, 3 Dec. 2018,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6FYs_AUCsQ&t=32s. Accessed 20 May 2020.
What Is A Superconductor?, ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/113.web.stuff/travis/what_is.html.
Accessed 20 May 2020.
Woodford, Chris. “How Do Superconductors Work?” Explain That Stuff, 1 Mar. 2020,
www.explainthatstuff.com/superconductors.html#causes. Accessed 20 May 2020.
5
Andrew, Elise. “Explainer: What Is A Superconductor?” IFLScience, IFLScience, 11 Mar. 2019,
www.iflscience.com/physics/explainer-what-superconductor/. Accessed 20 May 2020.
6
Grant, Ian. “Uses of Superconductors.” Superconductivity - Uses of Superconductors,
www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2000/igrant/uses.html.
