Kinetic Maglev Sculpture - Bismuth Metal Art "The Alchemist"
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$449.00
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Socrates is one of my heroes. He said, "The beginning of wisdom is the defining of terms," so let's begin by defining diamagnetism. Diamagnetic things repel all magnetic fields. North Pole, South Pole, it doesn't matter. It's a very weak effect and is barely detectable in most elements or molecules that possess this trait. Bismuth happens to be the most diamagnetic metal there is. A pair of bismuth crystals properly arranged in conjunction with a pair of magnets can reveal the force at work.
That's what we have here. I carefully sculpted the figure you see in the pictures and hand cast it in solid bismuth. The magnet you see floating between his hands will stay there touching nothing for a lifetime. It's absolutely riveting! For the science aficionados, and those who love them, this modern bismuth metal sculpture is the perfect blending of art, chemistry and physics — a truly unique gift they'll always treasure.
Custom Kinetic Magnetic Sculpture
• Made-to-order sculpture identical to one pictured • Hand sculpted and cast in solid bismuth metal • Walnut stand included (choose wood, clear or acrylic posts) • Sculpture measures approximately 10” tall and 5” in diameter • FOUR spare cube magnets • 30-Day guarantee
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS 1. Place the sculpture on a level surface 2. Slip the magnet between the hands 3. Adjust the magnet by twisting until balance is achieved 4. Observe the gasps
Get a 360 degree look here! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qZoE9vvvyk8
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCULPTURE The little magnet in the sculpture is touching nothing but air in this unique kinetic piece featuring diamagnetic flotation of a 3mm-cubed magnet. This new, yet simple, technology requires no power of any kind — just a balancing of bismuth crystals and magnetism.
Bismuth happens to be the metal with the greatest amount of diamagnetism. That means it repels north and south poles of magnets equally. It's a very weak push, and we didn't know about it for a long time. The top magnet attracts the small magnet with enough force to lighten it. Just a little bit. The diamagnetic force of the bottom bismuth crystal can then push the little cube off its surface without pushing it too high into the upper magnet's attractive field. That way it achieves balance in a repulsive pocket of stability between a pair of larger attractive fields, magnetism and gravity.
**Neodymium magnets are not for children. Small magnets can pose a choking hazard. If multiple magnets are swallowed, they can attach to one another through intestine walls. This can cause a severe health risk, requiring immediate, emergency surgery if correctly diagnosed.
**Neodymium magnets can affect pacemakers. The strong magnetic fields near a neodymium magnet can affect pacemakers, ICDs and other implanted medical devices. Many of these devices are made with a feature that deactivates it with a magnetic field. Therefore, care must be taken to avoid inadvertently deactivating such devices.