Ferrofluid Spike Activity

This activity shows the affect that a magnetic field can have on a ferrofluid. Students will be able to explore what happens when a magnet is moved into the vacinity of a ferrofluid and how the fluid will react.

Full Instructions

Materials

  • EMG-905, a mineral oil-based ferrofluid with a saturation magnetization of 400 gauss obtained from Ferrofluidics Corporation.
  • Strong magnet (cow magnet, bar magnet, or rare earth magnet).
  • Petri dish