transition temperature
Quick Summary
Superconductivity is a phenomenon where certain materials exhibit zero electrical resistance when cooled below a specific temperature, known as the transition temperature (Tc). This is a significant departure from normal conductors where electrons are scattered, causing resistance. In superconductors, electrons form "Cooper pairs," enabling current flow without scattering.123
Most known superconductors have transition temperatures between 1 and 10 Kelvin. However, some compounds, particularly cuprates discovered since 1986, have shown extraordinarily high transition temperatures, earning them the name "high-Tc superconductors". The transition temperature is sensitive to magnetic fields and impurities.21
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- superconductivityTransition temperatures
The vast majority of the known superconductors have transition temperatures that lie between 1 K and 10 K. Of the chemical elements, tungsten has the lowest transition temperature, 0.015 K, and niobium the highest, 9.2 K. The transition temperature is usually very sensitive…
Read MoreThe vast majority of the known superconductors have transition temperatures that lie between 1 K and 10 K. Of the chemical elements, tungsten has the lowest transition temperature, 0.015 K, and niobium the highest, 9.2 K. The transition temperature is usually very sensitive…
Read More 
conductive ceramicsSuperconductors…is referred to as the transition temperature, or critical temperature (Tc). Tc is usually measured in degrees kelvin (K)—0 K being absolute zero, the temperature at which all atomic motion ceases. The best ceramic conductors are the so-called high Tc superconductors, materials that lose their resistance at much higher critical…
Read More…is referred to as the transition temperature, or critical temperature (Tc). Tc is usually measured in degrees kelvin (K)—0 K being absolute zero, the temperature at which all atomic motion ceases. The best ceramic conductors are the so-called high Tc superconductors, materials that lose their resistance at much higher critical…
Read More