What is Superconductor?

A specific type of conductors which behave differently when temperature decreases are said to be superconductors like metals mercury and lead, ceramics and organic carbon nanotubes. We can understand superconductivity by understanding what happens when temperatures are decreased to a certain point, also called a critical point. High magnetic fields destroy superconductivity and restore the normal conducting state.

Superconductor Definition

A superconductor is defined as an element that at, or below critical temperature has no resistance.

Some elements like mercury at critical temperature (the point where resistance becomes zero) allow electricity to pass through them without any resistance, these elements are named superconductors. Other conductors gradually decrease their resistance, but superconductors after critical temperature instantly drop resistance to zero.

Critical Temperature for Superconductors

Electrical resistivity of metals falls to zero when the temperature is decreased at a specific point, this is called the critical temperature, the point where ordinary metals get superconductive properties. This temperature can be different for various superconductors metals. At normal temperatures or above critical temperature, superconductors behave as normal conductors.

Superconductor at Room Temperature

Electrons of ordinary conducting metals when temperature is decreased below critical temperature, start forming bonds which is known as Cooper pairs. These pairs help electricity to flow through the metal smoothly. When the temperature is increased, these bonds break and the metal starts resisting current as usual and loses its superconductive properties.

Superconductors are those elements that conduct electricity without resistance after they become colder than a particular temperature, which is also called “critical temperature”. At this temperature, electrons move freely through the material hence they become superconductors.

Ordinary conductors, such as copper gradually get more conductive with a decrease in temperature but superconductors like metals mercury get conductive all at once, after the critical temperature. This is also called phase transition.

In this article, we will study superconductor definitions, types of superconductors, properties of superconductors, working of superconductors, applications of superconductors and others in detail.