Diamagnetism is a property of certain materials which, when subjected to an external magnetic field, develops a very weak magnetic field opposite to that external field. Copper, zinc, bismuth, silver, gold, antimony, marble, glass and water are diamagnetic materials.
Thus, when a magnetic field is applied to a glass of water, it produces a magnetic force opposite to the applied field. The two magnetic fields repel each other, so the glass of water is (very weakly) repelled by the magnet. You can easily perform the experiment with a magnet from the Energie 12200 Gauss set.
Published on 2022-02-25
The effects of a magnetic field on water
Water is diamagnetic, it creates a field opposite to the magnetic field of the magnet. Find out how to demonstrate the magnetic field of water with this amazing experiment!
Levitation through the magnetic field
This phenomenon also occurs in living beings. Scientists have used diamagnetism to demonstrate the possibility of levitating various organisms. Since water has a high degree of diamagnetism, and living organisms are mostly composed of water, it is possible to levitate a small animal by applying a sufficiently strong magnetic field.
Flying frogs
This is particularly true of frogs. When an intense magnetic field of more than 10 Tesla (100 000 Gauss) is applied, the atoms making up the frog develop an opposite magnetic field, thus creating a phenomenon of levitation, with the batrachian suspended in the air!
When will levitation be possible for humans?
It would theoretically be possible to levitate much larger organisms, such as humans, but this would require an incredibly powerful magnetic field.
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