Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Ultrasound Velocity Measurement in a Liquid Metal Electrode
Published on: August 5, 2015
Dynamic behavior of a liquid metal interface under the influence of a high-frequency magnetic field
Jens-Uwe Mohring1, Christian Karcher, Dietmar Schulze
1Department for Electrical Engineering, Technische Universität Ilmenau P.O. Box 100565, 98684 Ilmenau, Germany.
Abstract:
We present experimental results on the stability of a free liquid metal surface influenced by an alternating magnetic field. The field is generated by an inductor fed by a high-frequency electrical current. The experimental setup consists of an annulus filled with the liquid metal galinstan. We observe three kinds of instabilities: exciting of capillary waves, a static high-amplitude surface deformation, and eventually an electromagnetic pinch at a critical inductor current I(cp). The data show that I(cp) correlates directly with the current frequency and the geometric parameters.
Related Concept Videos
Magnetostatic Boundary Conditions
Magnetic Damping
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
Magnetic Fields
A magnetic field is defined by the force that a charged particle experiences...
Motional Emf
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes

