Diamagnetic Levitation Apparatus

The physicist S. Earnshaw proposed the following theorem in 1848: it is not possible for charges or magnets to be placed in a stable levitated state in a static field obeying an inverse square law. He further stated, however, that it would be possible to levitate diamagnetic materials.

The availability of very powerful rare-earth metal magnets has made it possible to design an inexpensive levitation apparatus such as this using graphite as the diamagnet. Diamagnetic materials are repelled from both magnetic poles.
A gold-coated NdFeB magnet is allowed to levitate freely between two graphite plates in a space enclosed by transparent acrylic. The gravitational force acting on the magnet is almost entirely counteracted by the force of attraction from a ring magnet located above the plastic covering.
Two diamagnetic graphite plates, one above and one below the NdFeB magnet, compel it into a stable equilibrium since both poles of the magnet are repelled by the graphite plates (diamagnetism).

Dimensions:
Base plate: 95 mm x 95 mm
Height: 135 mm

Components Included:
1 Levitation apparatus
2 Transparent acrylic plates
1 Inbus spanner