Discover Liquids that Light Up in a Magnetic Field | Non-Physicist's Guide

[tdevil]

i was wondering if anyone knew any liquids that light up when they cross a magnetic field... or any other setup where a light would light up when it crosses a magnetic field, the more sensitive the better.

 

[Gordianus]

Are you looking for a magnetic field detector?

 

[Mr. Heretic]

A basic, low power LED in a very simple series circuit with an inductor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductor) will light up when moved (in correct orientation) through regions of high magnetic flux density, sensitivity would depend on the quality of the inductor etc.

 

[tdevil]

i want to use the principal of induction to generate light when it intersects a magnetic field but i was wondering whether there are any materials that do it naturally without the need of constructing a inductor as shown in the wiki page that was linked. also the current generated by that inductor would create a magnetic field of it's own right? is there any way to avoid that? and to answer the earlier question, yes i am trying to create a magnetic field detector.

 

[Mr. Heretic]

One idea that springs to mind is iron filings forming field line patterns, but I don't think this is ideal.

I would say the most 'natural' inductor is just a single piece of wire, but you can't have your cake an eat it too.
If you want it to be sensitive, you may have to go beyond your definition of 'natural', though as far as I'm concerned wrapping some sturdy copper wire around an iron cylinder is far from complex. The iron isn't even necessary, it's the harder part to source.
Self inductance isn't really avoidable, it can also be considered negligible in this application, as it won't 'detect' its own field.