Today we did a did a lab involving ferrofluid. In a group of four we got different measurements of iron (III) chloride and iron (II) chloride and mixed it slowly with ammonium hyroxide to make a solution that was attracted to the magnet. We then mixed the solution with deionized water and poured out the excess water leaving the liquid attracted to the magnet. Then to get the liquid to spike we placed the magnet underneath it and moved it around slightly.
The magnet could not be placed above the liquid though because then the force from the magnet would cause the liquid to fly up from the dish. We were able to successfully see the spike formed from the magnet with the liquid.
One thing I found out is that ferrofluids have many different uses. Ferrofluids are used to form liquid seals around the spinning drive shafts in hard disks. The United States Air Force introduced a Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) paint made from both ferrofluidic and non-magnetic substances. By reducing the reflection of electromagnetic waves, this material helps to reduce the Radar Cross Section of aircraft. In medicine, ferrofluids are used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and can be used for cancer detection.
The experiment we did today was not only interesting but also very helpful in implementing science and art together. We did a scientific experiment but the shapes formed from the liquid could be seen as art.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrofluid
http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/liquidmagnet.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJGBy_yygaQ
http://www.wondermagnet.com/ferro.html
http://mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/background/ferrofluid/index.html