Motion of a deformable drop of magnetic fluid on a solid surface in a rotating magnetic field

The behavior of a magnetic fluid drop lying on a solid horizontal surface and surrounded by a nonmagnetic liquid under the action of a uniform magnetic field which is rotating in a vertical plane with low frequency (of the order of 1 Hz) has been investigated experimentally. Shape deformation and translatory motion of the drop were observed and studied. The drop translation velocity for different field amplitudes and field frequencies has been measured.

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► Complex shapes of a magnetic fluid drop are observed in a rotating magnetic field.
► Rotating magnetic field leads to a translatory motion of the drop.
► Shape deformation and rotation are the necessary conditions for the drop motion.
► Translation velocity of a drop depends on the field strength and rotation frequency.