Editing Levitation (physics) (section)

{{Short description|Physical process by which an object is held aloft, without mechanical support, in a stable position}}
{{other uses|Levitation (disambiguation)}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=March 2017}}
[[Image:Magnet 4.jpg|thumb|A cube [[magnet]] levitating over a [[superconductor|superconducting]] material (known as the [[Meissner effect]])]]
'''Levitation''' (from [[Latin]] ''{{linktext|levitas}}'', {{literal|lightness}})<ref>''Levitate'', "to rise by virtue of lightness," from Latin ''levitas'' "lightness," patterned in English on ''gravitate'': [http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=levitate Online Etymology Dictionary]</ref> is the process by which an object is held aloft in a stable position, without mechanical support via any physical contact.

Levitation is accomplished by providing an upward [[force]] that counteracts the pull of [[gravitation|gravity]] (in relation to gravity on earth), plus a smaller stabilizing force that pushes the object toward a home position whenever it is a small distance away from that home position. The force can be a fundamental force such as magnetic or electrostatic, or it can be a reactive force such as optical, buoyant, aerodynamic, or hydrodynamic.{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}
Levitation excludes [[Buoyancy|floating]] at the surface of a liquid because the liquid provides direct mechanical support. Levitation excludes hovering flight by insects, hummingbirds, helicopters, rockets, and balloons because the object provides its own counter-gravity force.{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}