The Power And Entertainment Of Magnets

The invisible push of magnets has been thrilling children and adults ever since they were discovered.  While most people’s memories are resigned to pushing one magnet away from another in elementary school, there are plenty of other fun things to do with magnets.  Not just a toy, magnets have been used for many things including a space guidance system, cancer treatments, and even powering roller coasters.  The ability to buy ferrofluid is a cheap and fun way to use science to create temporary works of art.

A ferrofluid is manufactured by the combination of a solvent or water and microscopic elements; the elements are magnetic in nature and when brought in the range of a magnetic field become magnetized.  A third item is introduced known as a surfactant and is used to stop the particles of metal from bonding together.  The creation of the solution does not require any high end machinery or equipment.  Magnetite or hematite is the common choices for magnetic particles, while kerosene is the cost effective choice for the solvent.

Once a solution is created there are a number of fun activities and shapes that can be created through the use of introducing a magnetic field; this is often done by running other types of magnets over, under, and around it.  The metallic particles repelled by the force will be unable to break away from the solvent, but instead pull the gel like material along with it; this causes the solution to take on the appearance of geometrical spikes based on the strength of the field.  Weaker forces will create larger longer spikes as the particles do not separate, while a strong force will create a field of much smaller spikes.  If you do not want to take the time to create your own, it is possible to buy ferrofluid and they do not cost very much.

Ferrofluids have many practical uses and they have found their home in both science and medicine, as well as electronics.  When used in speakers and other electronic devices, the use of the fluids is to protect from excessive heat.  NASA has made use of these miniature magnetic fields to help with space shuttle altitude controls.  The medical uses range from detection to treatment.  Cancer is the primary area where they have found use, both by detecting cancer and a process called magnetic hyperthermia.


The manufacture of ferrofluids makes it a fun weekend project and is a great way to spark a child’s curiosity when it comes to science.  The industrial applications of the substance are just as important.  Taking the time to buy ferrofluid will let your child have a memory that is far more interesting than just pushing one magnet around with another.