Superconductivity

Question 1

What happens as temp decreases

Answer 1

R of a metal conductor decreases as temp decreases
For pure metals the change in R with temp is approximately linear, due to lower temps with ions within the metallic lattice have less KE and vibrate less, causing less resistance to the current or flow of electrons

Question 2

What is a superconductor ?

Answer 2

Wire made of a material that has 0R
Critical temp depends on the material

Question 3

What happens when a material becomes superconducting ?

Answer 3

Current will flow through the material without any resistance and therefore the current does not produce a heating effect
Once current flows through a loop of a superconductor, if there is no resistance in the circuit, current continues to flow. Current flowing through a circular induces a magnetic field so superconductor will remain magnetic indefinitely

Question 4

What happens at critical temp ?

Answer 4

The resistance of a material suddenly turns to 0

Question 5

Uses of superconductors

Answer 5

Used in devices that require very high strength magnetic fields
MRI scanners require large currents to create a magnetic field that produce the images to detect tumours