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Noah Repp

Mrs. Stevens

Life Science

31 January 2018

Does Amount of Printer Ink Affect The Length of Spikes On Ferrofluids?

Did you know that ferrofluids can be used to fix cars, radios and much more? Well now

you do! Many scientists use ferrofluids for various reasons. It is good to learn about magnetic

fields and much more. As well as just playing with it in general. The amount of printer ink I

would think would affect the length of spikes. Also ferrofluids are made out of many

components, such as ferro oxide.

My hypothesis is ​If I add printer ink to ferrofluids then the spikes will grow. ​I tried the

experiment three different ways, and got no results. I was disappointed because I followed each

step in each video I watched. Just to see no ferrofluids appear. There was no results for my

experiment.

What Are Ferrofluids?

Ferrofluids is a very simple, magnetic goop that is fun to play with. It has a base a little

like water. But is mainly mixed iron oxide and oils. It is also ferromagnetic material that is

attracted to magnets, or in other words, a permanent magnet (Lacoma). There is nano-sized,

magnetic particles suspended into this liquid, but with a non-magnetic liquid (How). But when

you put the ferrofluids on a plate or in a jar, then put a magnet next to the plate or jar, the
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ferrofluids make spikes. It is very amazing and that is what ferrofluids are (Flynn).

How Do You Make Ferrofluids?

To make ferrofluids you have to have some sort of iron suspended oil. Preferably car or

motor oil. You would also need printer ink, for more magnetic liquid. You also need Ferric

Chloride, which is sort of like magnetic dust. Then Ferric Oxide, which is basically powdered

iron. Then the last step is to add ammonia. Which is primarily used in fertilizer. Then once you

mix it all together you get the magnetic goop called ferrofluids (Sklar).

Why Are Ferrofluids Magnetic? And What Makes Something Magnetic?

Ferrofluids are magnetic because of these reasons. It has metal bits inside of the mixture.

It also has electric particles moving around the magnetic field (Catherall). It also is magnetic

because most metal is magnetic and ferrofluids has a lot of magnetic particles suspended into the

mixture (Woodford). Most stuff that is magnetic is because of the iron oxide nanoparticles, and

also just the magnetic properties in general that is suspended inside of it. And that is why

ferrofluids are magnetic, and what makes something magnetic (Science).

How Do You Accurately Measure Ferrofluids?

These are the ways you can accurately measure ferrofluids. You can just measure it with

a ruler, but it would be harder to and might not get exact measurements. Or you can also use a

measuring tube. This will probably get the most accurate results while measuring ferrofluids. Or

something very similar, but you can measure larger quantities of it is a measuring cup. You

would want to measure ferrofluids in centimeters, for more accurate results and accurate scales.

Or milo-meters (Measuring).

What Is Ferrofluids Used For?

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Ferrofluids are used for many different things. People often use ferrofluids to make audio

speakers work more efficiently, and better sound resolution on speakers. Ferrofluids can be used

to study magnetic structures as well. They can also improve performance in applications such as

levers and switches. Ferrofluids can be helpful in classrooms, such as studying magnetic fields

and electromagnetic fields. The last thing ferrofluids can help with is sealing things that are

metal (Applications).

What Is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the study of extremely small things, and the ideas behind nanoscience.

Nanoscience is also kind of like the study of small things. Such as Small magnets, metals and

other things. Nanotechnology can be used to nanoscale materials. This means that you can scale

materials from a small perspective. Or measure small things. Nanotechnology helps things like

cars, since cars have plenty of small parts inside of it. Nanotechnology is also science and

engineering conducted into a nanoscale (What).

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Works Cited

“Applications.” Ferrofluid, Ferrotec, 2017, ferrofluid.ferrotec.com/applications/.

Catherall, Ed. What Will A Magnet Attract? Vol. 1, Wayland, 1991.

Flynn , Michael. “Ferrofluid: How It Works (by Michael Flynn).” YouTube, YouTube, 16 Sept.

2008,

How Does Ferrofluid Work?” UCSB Science Line, National Science Foundation , 2017,

scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=1821.

Lacoma, Tyler. “Everything You Need to Know about the Magical Magnetic Goop Known as

Ferrofluid.” Digital Trends, Designtechnica Corporation, 24 Feb. 2017,

www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/what-is-ferrofluid/.
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leelab.engineering.osu.edu/sites/nsec.osu.edu/files/uploads/Measuring%20Magnetic%20Field%2

0Strenghts%20Using%20Ferrofluids.pdf.

“Measuring Magnetic Field Strengths Using Ferrofluids .” Lee Laboratories, pp. 2–3.,

Sklar, Mikey. “How To Make Ferrofluid.” Popular Science, Bonnier Corporation , 22 Sept.

2017, ​www.popsci.com/diy/article/2009-09/making-ferrofluids-work-you#page-2​.

“What Is Nanotechnology?” What Is Nanotechnology? | Nano, White House of Science

Technology , 2016, ​www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/definition​.