Description
The Ferrofluid Chemistry Lab is part of a range of chemistry kits!
What is a Ferrofluid?
A ferrofluid is a suspension of very small particles of magnetite in an oil. These fluids will align to magnetic fields and will show the shape of these fields. By combining ferrofluid with putty, the putty can also become reactive to magnetic fields too!
Ferrofluid used in a Fizzics science program
Ferrofluids are an application of nanotechnology and find a variety of uses:
- Rotary seals in hard drives
- In loudspeakers to dampen vibrations
- As a contrast agent in MRI scans
- In science kits & more
Teaching ideas for this science resource
- Place the ferrofluid next to different shape magnets
- Does the strength of a magnet affect the shape formed by the ferrofluid?
- Research the uses of nanotechnology in industry
- How does magnetism work?
- What is the strongest known magnet? What is the unit of measurement for magnetism?
- Why does the Earth have a magnetic field?
- What is a supermagnet?
- How are electromagnets formed?
School science visit that expands on this science teaching resource
Find out more about the Properties of Materials school science incursion
I just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!
-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big FunThanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.
-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big FunFizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.
-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun DayFizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.
-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big FunI just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!
-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big FunThanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.
-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big FunFizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.
-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun DayFizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.
-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big Fun