Uploaded September 2017 | Updated September 2026, 5 minutes ago
The silvery liquid in this exhibit is called ferrofluid, which is made of tiny particles of iron oxide suspended in oil and a special soap called a "surfactant." By turning the cranks on the side, you raise and lower powerful magnets, making beautiful shapes in the ferrofluid. The exhibit is called a Magnetoscope (a word made up by inventor Michael Flynn) because the iron in the ferrofluid reacts to the magnets and lets you see the patterns of the magnetic field created by these magnets.
The silvery liquid in this exhibit is called ferrofluid, which is made of tiny particles of iron oxide suspended in oil and a special soap called a "surfactant." By turning the cranks on the side, you raise and lower powerful magnets, making beautiful shapes in the ferrofluid. The exhibit is called a Magnetoscope (a word made up by inventor Michael Flynn) because the iron in the ferrofluid reacts to the magnets and lets you see the patterns of the magnetic field created by these magnets.
