How To Use Magnetic Field Viewer Film
There are many different ways to see magnetic fields even though they are invisible to the naked eye. You can use a compass or iron filings to determine the direction and boundaries of a magnetic field. Or you can use magnetic field viewer film to see the magnetic field lines of magnets. It’s usually used by hobbyists to examine electronics. So, how does it work?
The viewing film consists of tiny nickel flakes suspended in oil and encased by a thin flexible sheet. The flakes are reflective and appear bright when the magnetic lines are parallel to the surface of the sheet. In the areas where the film is darker, the magnetic lines are perpendicular to the sheet. It appears darker because the flakes are facing edge-on towards the viewing film, which is reflective of the direction of the magnet’s pole. Essentially, when placed on a magnet, the light parts of the film are the edges of the magnetic field and the dark green shows what areas are magnetized.
Image by Windall Oskay
You can get magnetic viewing film and sphere magnets of any size from Apex Magnets! Let us know in the comments how your magnetic science experiments go.
Image by Zureks
Science Experiments
The magnetic viewing film can be used to demonstrate where magnetic fields are and how they work. This method of demonstrating magnetic fields is much less messy than iron filings. With the viewing film, you can see the orientation of magnetic fields of all shapes of magnets. For example, if you use several small sphere magnets to make different shapes such as triangles or 3D cubes, you can see how the magnetic fields of each magnet align with one another. Despite the different shapes, you can create with several sphere magnets, the alignment of the magnetic fields as shown on the viewing film might surprise you. For example, a cube consisting of sphere magnets won’t have the same pattern of magnetic field lines on every side.Unusual Art
Using small neodymium magnets and magnetic viewing film, you can elaborate designs on the film. Because the film consists of nickel flakes in suspension, it remembers where the magnetic field lines are. So, if you lift the film carefully without blurring the lines, the imprint of whatever design the magnetic fields created will remain. You can use magnetic field viewer film to create creepy decorations for your Halloween party.
Image by Windall Oskay
You can get magnetic viewing film and sphere magnets of any size from Apex Magnets! Let us know in the comments how your magnetic science experiments go.
Image by Zureks