Superconductors Resistance

PH1.5

Superconductors
Superconductors are relatively were discovered in 1911, but not much has been known about them until recently, and still there is a lot more research into superconductors to come. Superconductor are materials that has zero resistance. Therefore there is a lot of fuss about them because they can be very useful. If they have zero resistance energy will not be lost when passing a current through the material. Transition Temperature The transition temperature is the temperature at which a material, when cooled loses all its electrical resistance and becomes superconducting. Typical transition temperatures; Materia l Zinc Aluminiu m Tin Mercury Transition Temperature (K) 0.88 1.19 3.72 4.15

(you need not know these but they are here to give you an idea how cold a material must be before it becomes a superconductor)

You must note that not all materials become superconductors (eg Copper). No matter how low the temperature they will never become a superconductor. High Temperature Superconductors A high temperature superconductor is one that has a transition temperature above 77K (-196C). This is the boiling point of nitrogen. The materials are cooled to their transition temperature by using liquid nitrogen.

Superconductors Resistance As of yet no superconductor has been found with a transition temperature even close to room temperature.

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Graph of a superconductor

Uses of Superconductors Magnetic Levitation trains that levitate above the track, because they arent in contact with the track there is no energy lost in heat and friction, therefore they can achieve very high speeds MRI Scans used to see inside the body by doctors. Particle Colliders such as in Switzerland superconducting materials are used to accelerate the particles for the speeds needed. Key Point; New uses are constantly being found superconductors. If you know a use not mentioned here you will still get the mark on the exam. Examiners have to check out the uses on the internet, as they are ever changing. Key Points A superconductor is a material that has zero resistance

Superconductors Resistance

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The transition temperature is the temperature at which a material, loses all its resistance and becomes superconducting. Not all materials can be a superconductor Know some of the uses of superconductors

Practice Questions
1. What is a superconductor? (1
(WJEC June 2010)

mark)

2. With the aid of a sketched graph explain the term superconducting transition temperature (3 marks) (WJEC June 2010) 3. Explain why superconductors are useful for applications which require large electric currents and name one such application. (2 marks)

(WJEC June 2010)

4. Explain the term high temperature superconductor (1 mark) 5. How are materials cooled to their critical temperatures? (1 mark)

Superconductors Resistance

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Worked Answers
1. A material which has zero [electrical] resistance [or equiv.] [1] 2. Mark Scheme; 1 mark for correct axis. 1 mark for correct shape of line (must be sudden drop to 0). 1 mark for labelling transition temperature or describing this is where the line drops.

3. Little energy/heat lost. MRI scans, magnetic levitation, particle accelerators, nuclear fusion.

Mark Scheme; 1 mark for little energy/heat lost. 1 mark for any acceptable use

4. A material with a transition temperature above 77K/-196C 5. Using liquefied gases/ liquid nitrogen.

Superconductors Resistance

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Robert Williams December 2011