levitation
physical process by which an object is held aloft, without mechanical support, in a stable position
acoustic levitation
method for suspending matter in a medium by using acoustic radiation pressure from intense sound waves in the medium
optical levitation
method developed by Arthur Ashkin whereby a material is levitated against the downward force of gravity by an upward force stemming from photon momentum transfer
electrostatic levitation
process of using an electric field to levitate a charged object and counteract the effects of gravity
magnetic levitation
method by which an object is suspended with no support other than magnetic fields
aerodynamic levitation
use of gas pressure to levitate materials so that they are no longer in physical contact with any container