Levitation is the process by which an object is suspended against gravity, in a stable position, by a force without physical contact.

Western science acknowledges that this can be achieved through jets of gas pushing upwards against the object (as in air hockey), or pushing downwards from the object (as in helicopters, VTOL aircraft, and hovercraft), while levitation is also a part of some eastern religions and magical beliefs.

A sphere can be stably levitated in a stream of air without any type of control system, if conditions are right. These effects are due to Bernoulli's principle. This was merchandised as a toy, circa 1960.

Objects with the right properties can be levitated without even indirect contact through the use of magnetic or electric forces.

Some claim there are other ways - using methods not yet known to modern science - to levitate

The original use of the word was to refer to such inexplicable claims, as in wonder stories and unauthenticated reports; the use of the word to describe an actual, physical means of "making things float in the air" is a recent development.

See also

• Physical effects
  • Magnetic levitation (rail systems etc)
  • Electrostatic levitation
• Magic Illusions
  • King levitation
  • Balducci levitation
  • Elevator levitation
  • Wild levitation
  • Mike Bent's Zero Gravity
  • David Copperfield's flying
  • Invisible thread
  • ITR reel
  • Loops
  • Fearson's floating cigarette
  • Chair suspension
  • floating match on card
• Metaphysical levitation (by means not known to modern science, such as witchcraft and the occult)
• Levitation is also the name of a band.

Levitation Levitatie Lewitacja Lévitation