Editing Earnshaw's theorem (section)

=== In magnetostatics ===
It is also possible to prove this theorem directly from the force/energy equations for static [[magnetic dipole]]s (below). Intuitively, though, it is plausible that if the theorem holds for a single point charge then it would also hold for two opposite point charges connected together. In particular, it would hold in the limit where the distance between the charges is decreased to zero while maintaining the dipole moment – that is, it would hold for an [[electric dipole]]. But if the theorem holds for an electric dipole, then it will also hold for a magnetic dipole, since the (static) force/energy equations take the same form for both electric and magnetic dipoles.

As a practical consequence, this theorem also states that there is no possible static configuration of [[ferromagnet]]s that can stably [[Levitation (physics)|levitate]] an object against gravity, even when the magnetic forces are stronger than the gravitational forces.

Earnshaw's theorem has even been proven for the general case of extended bodies, and this is so even if they are flexible and conducting, provided they are not [[diamagnetic]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ru.nl/hfml/research/levitation/diamagnetic-levitation/levitation-possible/ |title=Levitation Possible |publisher=High Field Magnet Laboratory |author1=Gibbs, Philip |author2=Geim, Andre |access-date=2021-05-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908124057/http://www.ru.nl/hfml/research/levitation/diamagnetic/levitation_possible/ |archive-date=2012-09-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Earnshaw |first=S|author-link=Samuel Earnshaw|title=On the nature of the molecular forces which regulate the constitution of the luminferous ether|journal= Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society|volume=7|pages=97–112| year=1842| url=https://archive.org/details/transactionsofca07camb/page/96/mode/2up}}</ref> as diamagnetism constitutes a (small) repulsive force, but no attraction.

There are, however, several exceptions to the rule's assumptions, which allow [[magnetic levitation]].