These experiments look like they’re from a science fiction movie. You can find the magnetic liquid ingesting a magnetic ball or cube or forming spiky structures under the influence of a strong magnetic field. The liquid is called a ferrofluid and it’s working principle is actually not even that far-fetched.
There are solid magnets everywhere, why shouldn’t there also be liquid ones? That’s what some scientists thought so they came up with a way to make these strongly magnetized liquids. These extremely tiny materials are much finer than powder and are suspended in a, usually organic, carrier fluid. Coat with surfactant to keep the tiny particles from clumping together and presto! A strongly magnetized fluid that slides like a slug, spikes up, ingests and even shape-shifts – however you decide to play with this fun ferrofluid!
Enjoy some gooey fun with these shape-shifting liquids in this video:
