Paramagnetism: Nitrogen and Oxygen - Background

The apparatus for testing the paramagnetism of liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen is shown.

A magnet is shown to strongly attract a pair of metal tongs. The magnet has no visible effect on liquid nitrogen, but when pale blue liquid oxygen is poured near the poles of the magnet, it shows definite attraction.

Credits: 
  • Design, Demonstration and Production
    • John W. Moore University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
    • Lynn R. Hunsberger University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292
    • Steven D. Gammon University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843
  • Text
    • Kelly Houston Jetzer University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
    • John W. Moore University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706