Fire Up the Levitating Barbie, It's Time to Cook with Electromagnetic Induction

Michael Faraday was awesome. He discovered electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism and electrolysis, and he invented the Bunsen burner (before it was the Bunsen burner). Because of his work, we can make suits that can withstand 1,000,000 volts of electricity and cases to protect our gadgets from nuclear attacks.

Still not impressed? How about a levitating barbecue that can cook food and even power light bulbs?

This experiment by the Palais de la Decouverte in Paris uses electromagnetic induction to levitate an aluminum plate over a huge coil charged with 800 amps of current that alternates 900 times per second. The coil is basically a much larger version of Faraday's induction ring.

The currents create two opposing magnetic fields, which is why the plate is able to levitate. The current can also make light bulbs glow, and makes the plate hot enough that you could cook on it (hence, barbecue).

Check out the video by science video blog Veritasium to find out more about how electromagnetic induction works, and to see the levitating barbeque in action.