Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Magnetic Fluids ActivityMagnetic Fluids Activity
Publisher
Teach Engineering
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
7th - 12th
Subjects
Science
4 more...
Resource Types
Activities & Projects
3 more...
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
30 mins
Instructional Strategy
Hands-on Activity
Technology
Scientific Equipment
Year
2013
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Activity

Magnetic Fluids

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Magnetic Fluids activity also includes:
  • Magnetic Fluids Worksheet (PDF)
  • Magnetic Fluids Worksheet (Doc)
  • Magnetic Fluids Worksheet Answers (PDF)
  • Magnetic Fluids Worksheet Answers (Doc)
  • Vocabulary
  • Join to access all included materials

Teams work as material engineers to create ferrofluids, whose shape is influenced by magnetic fields. The activity, which is the fourth in the six-part series, has the teams create magnetic ink and use it to write, testing it with a magnet afterward. The groups continue to observe the fluid with and without the influence of a magnet and document their observations.

26 Views 28 Downloads

Concepts

fluids, magnetic fields, magnetic force, nanotechnology, magnetism, technology resources

Instructional Ideas

  • Research some uses of magnetic fluids

Classroom Considerations

  • The class should have a basic introduction to nanotechnology, characteristics, and applications
  • Activity requires several materials and scientific equipment 

Pros

  • Provides step-by-step instructions
  • The materials list gives suggestions on where you can find certain materials

Cons

  • None

See similar resources:

Lab Resource

The Invisible Electromagnet: A Transparent Magnetic Field Viewer

US Department of Energy
Audio speakers, hard drives, credit cards, and even the earth use magnetic fields. While we observe the effect of magnetic fields, we can't actually see them. A viewer helps participants explore magnetic fields, some of the items that...
6th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

The Earth as a Magnet

PHET
Everyone loves playing with magnets and iron filings. Here, young scientists first observe and then participate in an activity demonstrating magnetic fields. After completing their observations, they apply this knowledge...
5th - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Getting Current: Generating Electricity Using a Magnet

Energy for Keeps
Give your class a magnetic charge with this creative experiment designed to teach emerging scientists about electromagnetism. Pupils construct a model that demonstrates the function of an electrical generator and test this creation in a...
5th - 8th Science
Lesson Plan

Non-Newtonian Fluids—How Slow Can You Go?

Cornell University
Children enjoy playing with silly putty, but it provides more than just fun. Young scientists make their own silly putty using different recipes. After a bit of fun, they test and graph the viscosity of each.
5th - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Activity

Gorongosa: Making Observations Activity

Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Do you have young scientists wanting to make new discoveries rather than just completing the same experiments? Young scientists use their observational skills to identify animals and patterns in animal behavior. Through tracking...
6th - 12th Science
CCSS: Designed
Lesson Plan

Magnetic Induction

Curated OER
Physicists of the future observe the behavior of current in relation to a magnet through several inquiry activities. They construct a generator and experiment with solenoid coils. They learn and apply electromagnetic laws, most often...
9th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Understanding Viscosity through Investigation and Comparison of Fluids

EduGAINs
Not all liquids are the same. Investigate the viscosity of different fluids with a series of activities designed for eighth grade science. As learners move through learning centers with different experiment setups, they determine...
7th - 10th Science
Lesson Plan

Mapping the Ambient Magnetic Field

PHET
No GPS allowed! High school scientists continue to explore magnetic fields with a hands-on activity. After mapping the ambient magnetic field in the classroom and completing data analysis, they write about the similarities and...
9th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Unit Plan

Ga Virtual Learning: Forces on Moving Charges in Magnetic Fields

Georgia Department of Education
In this interactive tutorial students will explore magnetic force. Students will observe interactions of magnets and study magnetic fields. The source of magnetic properties is believed to be moving charge. Since moving charge produces...
9th - 10th Science
Activity

Magnetic Pendulums

Exploratorium
Passing a copper wire coil through a magnetic field influences another coil to also sway. It is with this demonstration that you can teach your physical science fans about electromagnetism. Note that the assembly requires about an hour,...
5th - 8th Science
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use