Make Ferrofluid

Sarah Santos and Jeremy Rector demonstrate two ways to make ferrofluid during a live Webcast of the Exploratorium's Iron Science Teacher.

Watch the whole episode (type "oil" in the search box), along with many other episodes of Iron Science Teacher at www.explo.tv

The Iron Science Teacher competition showcases middle school and high school science teachers or the Exploratorium's own teaching staff as they devise demonstrations involving a particular ingredient—an everyday item such as a plastic bag, a milk carton, or in this case oil. In a fast-paced atmosphere where showmanship and creativity reign, science teachers have ten minutes to concoct a science activity that can be used in the classroom.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Exploratorium
• San
• Francisco
• science
• magnet
• ferrofluid
• oil
• metal
• class
• teacher
• demonstration

[MrErsteschrittemitde]

@Exploratorium Hi

Ive tried to make this out of canola oil & iron powder and a magnet but it dont work. Did i take the wrong oil, or is my magnet too weak?

[Exploratorium]

@MrErsteschrittemitde Your magnet may be too weak. A 1 inch diameter refrigerator magnet at least a quarter inch thick should be able to drag the ferrofluid up the side of a container. Stronger magnets are better. The usual problem is that the particles are too large and do not stay suspended in the fluid.

[HybridWaterMan2]

Nice demonstration. I have read that toner could be used as well, but I don't know what surfactant to use besides the oil?

[Exploratorium]

@HybridWaterMan2 In oil try it first without the surfactant. I after a few weeks the ferrofluid begins to clump then you will have to experiment to find a surfactant that works with your oil. A good one to try is sold in hardware stores as "Water Glass". Not all toner is magnetic. Make sure you get a toner that contains magnetic particles. MICR toner contains magnetic particles and can be used to make ferrofluid.

[TheUberPeople]

Can I Use Iron Filings instead of black sand/magna flux?

[Exploratorium]

@TheUberPeople The iron filings are likely to be too big to make a good ferrofuild. You can try by putting them into oil but the smaller the particle the better for ferrofluid.

[vitayoko]

TIENE QUE SER AFUERZAS ESA BATERIA

[vitayoko]

WHAT IS THE BATTERY ?

[LalaXiongsterz101]

why did it not work with steel wool i used steel wool from doller store and a battery like that but different, should i use a battery like that or something else

[mcfaen]

Use lasertoner powder and veg oil to make awesome ferrofluid

[JUSTenzoOK]

why it didn't got spikes?

[Allplussomeminus]

The whole time, the audience was like, "oogabooga?" LOL! j/k

[DameinTK]

I can just feel my lungs getting heavier

[shadowth1994]

do you used the burnt steel wool?