Drift velocity and deformation of polarized drops in magnetic fields

Abstract

The motion and deformation of a drop composed by oil and magnetic microparticles is characterized by scaling arguments based on the governing equations for the flow of magnetic fluids. The scaling predicts that the drift velocity of a magnetic drop is proportional to the square of the applied magnetic field since viscous forces dominate inertia forces on the motion. Drop deformation, induced by applied field gradients in the scale of the drop radius, is found to vary linearly with the applied field. Experiments have been carried out and the proposed scaling verified.