Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
Tumbling motion of magnetic particles on a magnetic substrate induced by a rotational magnetic field
Hisao Morimoto1, Tomofumi Ukai, Yutaka Nagaoka
1Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Toyo University, 2100 Kujirai, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-8585, Japan.
Abstract:
We analyze the dynamics of paramagnetic particles on a paramagnetic substrate under a rotational magnetic field. When the paramagnetic particles are subjected to a rotational magnetic field, the rotational plane of which is perpendicular to the substrate surface, the particles form chain clusters caused by the dipole-dipole interaction between the particles and these clusters display a tumbling motion under certain conditions. In this case, the angular momentum of the clusters is converted to a translational one through the force of friction acting between the particles and substrate and, as a result, the clusters move along the surface of the substrate. We analyze the conditions under which the tumbling motion occurs and the dependence of the translational velocity of a cluster on the control parameters by the Stokesian dynamics method. Based on the dynamics of magnetic particles, we propose a method of manipulating nano- and microparticles using a rotational magnetic field. We demonstrate the manipulation of magnetic and nonmagnetic particles, a carbon nanotube, and a biological cell.
Related Concept Videos
Motion Of A Charged Particle In A Magnetic Field
Magnetic Fields
A magnetic field is defined by the force that a charged particle experiences...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Magnetic Moment
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 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...
