We just ran a Gen Chem experiment today to make ferrofluid. The experiment usually works, but today it didn't. The Fe(III) and Fe(II) reagents were made correctly and only a couple of days old (I know that Fe(ii) is air oxidized). Is it possible my magnets have gotten weak? They are about 5 years old or so. I am not that familiar with magnets to know if they can become "de-magnetised". Any suggestions would be great. I need to fix the problem before the next set of students. Thanks!
2007-06-20 11:13:17 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It is possible that your magnets have lost some of their strength if they have been used constantly over a 5 year period. You can check your ferrofluid with a single new magnet and see if that is the culprit. However, the most likely cause is the reagents that you used. I would seriously look at the shelf life of the reagents used to make the original ferrofluid and make sure they aren't passed their prime. Even if you used the ferrofluid shortly after making it, it will not work if the reagents have degraded and oxidized.
2007-06-20 11:21:28 · answer #1 · answered by itsallgood65 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Magnets will become demagnetized when heated above a certain temperature (the Curie point). Weaker magnets can be demagnetized by stroking them in random directions with a more powerful magnet. If the magnets weren't heated or demagnetized by another powerful magnet, then your ferrofluid is suspect.
2007-06-20 11:19:41 · answer #2 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
um metal because well...i just guessing!
2016-05-21 02:15:38 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋