Breadcrumb
5H10.31 - Ferromagnetic Fluids
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |

Code Number: 5H10.31
Demo Title: Ferromagnetic Fluids
Condition: Good
Principle: Magnetic Forces & Field Lines
Area of Study: Electricity & Magnetism
Equipment:
Magnets assorted, EFH1 Ferrofluid, Ferrofluid Preform Cell.
Procedure:
Bring a magnet close to the preform cell and watch the fluid line up with the field lines.
Pour a small amount of the EFH1 fluid into a watch glass and bring a magnet close to the underside of the glass. Depending upon the type of magnet different field line configurations can be shown.
Sandwich a plastic petri dish between the magnet and the bolt head. Screw the nut on the bolt so that a quarter inch of the bolt end protrudes above the nut. With a pipette add ferrofluid to the top of the bolt and the nut until the desired magnetic field pattern is produced.
References:
- Zoe Boekelheide, "Elongation of a Ferrofluid Droplet Near a Permanent Magnet: A Tidal or Magnetic Energy Effect?", AJP, Vol. 92, #10, Oct. 2024, p. 752.
- Bruce J. Ackerson, Anitra N. Novy, "Forces in Complex Fluids", AJP, Vol. 69, # 5, p. 614, May 2001.
- Daniel J. Klingenberg, "Making Fluids into Solids with Magnets", The Amateur Scientist, 8/1/01.
- James E. Martin, Kyle J Solis, "Mesmerizing Magnetic Fields", Physics Today, Aug. 2015, p. 66.
- J. V. I. Timonen et al., "A Model System for Dynamic Self-Assembly, Physics Today, August 2013, p. 68.
- "Peaks and Labyrinths in a Magnetic Fluid", Physics Today, June 2008, p. 21.
- Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Let's See the Lines", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 290.
- Arthur B. Ellis, Margret J. Geselbracht, Brian J. Johnson, George C. Lisensky, William R. Robinson, "Ferrofluids", Teaching General Chemistry - A Materials Science Companion, p. 36.
- "Instruction Booklet & Experiment Guide", Ferrofluidics Corporation, 1999.
- Lab 3: Observation of the Unusual Properties of Ferrofluids," California Institute of Technology-Department of Materials Science, MS 90, Spring '01.
- Xubo Liu et al., "Reconfigurable Ferromagnetic Liquid Droplets", Science, Vol. 365, #6450, July 2019, p. 264-267.