Making Ferrofluid!
Materials
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Iron filings - 10 grams
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Motor Oil - 10 grams
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Rare Earth or Neodymium Magnet
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Scale
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Latex Gloves
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Dish or Jar
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Stir Stick
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Lysol Wipes for cleanup
Procedure
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Put on gloves! Iron filings are very messy and hard to clean off of skin.
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Measure 10 grams of oil and pour it into a dish. A glass or clear container works best so you can watch the experiment closer.
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Measure 10 grams of iron filings and pour it on top of the oil. Use a toothpick, stick, or something disposable to mix it together.
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Use a napkin to absorb any excess oil and allow the ferrofluid to become thicker.
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Carefully bring a magnet near the container to see the ferrofluid react to the magnetic field!
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Do not dispose of your ferrofluid down the drain, this can clog and badly damage your pipes as well as the environment.
This experiment is difficult, is best done with adult supervision, you should wear safety gear, a shopping trip may be required, is messy, and special disposal instructions should be followed.
