Levitate a Magnet with Bismuth Crystals - No Energy Cost, Indefinite Levitation - NightHawkInLight

How to levitate a magnet with no batteries, external power, or trickery. It floats on pure SCIENCE!
Below are some links you can use to purchase bismuth and the magnets seen in this video, but first a word of warning: Strong magnets can be really dangerous, especially if you have more than one. The 1" cylinder magnet that I use for this project could break bones if you let your hand get between it and another large magnet as they snap together. Smaller magnets that are pulled against a larger one might shatter on impact and fire out sharp chips. I recommend eye protection while working with them. Lastly, don't purchase strong magnets if you live around anyone with a pacemaker. Pacemakers are adjusted magnetically and could malfunction if exposed to strong magnetic fields.
Bismuth can be purchased here (this is an affiliate link): ebay.to/1TihOkv Note that to create large crystals like I do in this video you will probably need at least 5 pounds of Bismuth, but you could probably use as little as 1 pound to cast two small plates that would function fine for a levitator. They don't need to be nearly as thick as the plates on my prototype to function.
A 1" neodymium cylinder magnet can be purchased here (another affiliate link): ebay.to/1CXtGiD
And the 1/4" magnets (I incorrectly called them 1/8" in the video) (affiliate link): ebay.to/1RhIWTg
No, unfortunately this is not an over-unity device, though in a vacuum it would very nearly be a perpetual motion device as the magnet would have nothing to slow it from spinning without air resistance.
Here are some of my sources I stumbled on while researching this video:
The first video I saw on the subject: • Diamagnetic Levitation...
A great page for learning about the physics of diamagnetic levitation: www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?...
This video inspired the final design I decided to use for my build, very elegant: • Bismuth generated diam...
Finally, here is my own video I made a few months ago about how to make bismuth crystals: • How to Make Bismuth Cr...
If you stuck around until the very end of the video you may have noticed I just launched a Patreon page! Take a look, and thank you if you decide to contribute! / nighthawkprojects
Thank you for any support there, and thanks for watching! #NightHawkInLight
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Check out my latest video: "How To View Invisible Air Currents With Lasers"
• How To See Invisible A...
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[@hoennnoodle]

>makes this >comes back in 19000000000000000000 years >half of my bismuth is now missing

[@EileenTheCr0w]

beepybeetle Those time Vandals again!

[@jayneboatis6494]

Too bad it only lived a half life

[@Verschlungen]

@beepybeetle. Rather than your 1.9x10^19 years for Bi-209, I would prefer to say "a billion times the current age of the universe itself." Or, expressed as mean average lifetime (which is the half-life divided by 0.693), we would have 2.7x10^19 years, which is to say, "two billion times the current age of the universe." One reason I like bismuth is that it 'forces' the physicist to stop hiding behind the term 'stable', which is applied to the nonradioactive elements and which has a needlessly clinical, bureaucratic, cautious, soulless, antiseptic quality about it, and instead admit that atoms are, for all practical purposes, eternal -- as in "they last for two billion times the current age of the universe -- OR, for those that are not radioactive the way Bi-209 is, even longer than that."

[@SomeTakenName]

Half life crisis

[@xinfinity4756]

@@Verschlungen semantics and stable is more accurate.

[@theCodyReeder]

Where did you get that huge copper pipe? None of the local hardware stores sells pipe larger than 3/4in. That 2 in pipe would be perfect for a project of mine!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

It's only 1" diameter, the video must make it look larger. You can get large copper pipes locally though if you look around for plumbing/HVAC supply stores that cater to professionals. It's too bad you can't count on regular hardware stores for that sort of thing.

[@joekenyon1599]

I

[@tinyfunnylilcritter1525]

Sup Cody!

[@Q-Limited]

you can buy it at any refrigeration wholesaler

[@Fruktstav]

Create a levitating vehicle, Cody! Please!

[@tennicktenstyl]

The quality of these videos is just outstanding.

[@SkyboxMonster]

This is inspiring. I've been trying to figure out magnet physics as a idle thought project. but I didn't know about "diamagnetic" properties. this opens up more options to think on

[@HouseholdHacker]

I once drank bismuth, but it was in the form of a pink liquid and it made my stomach feel better.

[@funnypranker34]

??

[@PackOfAngryPandas]

Peter Kapica he is talking about pepto-bismol

[@dankbeluga9636]

Pepto bismuth :D

[@funnypranker34]

That stuff dont have bismuth in it

[@thecrafter687]

Peter Kapica yeah it does

[@Mak_0007]

The final result you got in the video should be in an art gallery. It looks so cool and the great thing is it has some form of movement in it.

[@DarkAngelEU]

It should be on my bookcase.

[@charlesdickens6706]

Another toy for my big deal executive desk .

[@tgladful]

I'm so happy you have almost reached 1 million subs. I have been subbed to you since 70k, and have always believed this channel deserved

[@kharisses3075]

he even put the links of the video that inspired him, thumbs up for you! subscribed

[@harshwant]

Ben ! I think you do an amazing and inspiring job producing these high quality videos. I think the scientific community is deeply indebted to you for all the curiosity generating videos you upload. Cheers !!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Note that I have links that can be used to purchase bismuth in the video description. Also, if you leave a comment please be sure your G+ privacy settings are set so I can reply to it. Especially if you ask a detailed question and I don't reply, it's probably because your settings won't allow me to.

[@olebart7280]

You shuld do a give away of your art work :D, it just so amazing, kinda look like a desk "toy" like the balls that hit each pther and so on

+NightHawkInLight What a simple and elegant toy!

[@FantasmaNaranja]

the sad thing is since its made of wood it will rot before the hundred years pass by (also metal rusts yadda yadda)

[@Enter_channel_name]

FantasmaNaranja, I have good news, lignum vitae wood is VERY resistant to rot, and there are metals (like rhenium and platinum) that just will NOT corrode, (but these metals are expensive.

[@springman550]

+NightHawkInLight Isn't bismuth slightly toxic and radioactive?

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

Impressive project, but I was disappointed to see that the diamagnetic effect of the bismuth itself was not strong enough to cause the magnet to levitate.

[@Wingman4l7]

The only "unassisted" diamagnetic levitation I know of is a small ~0.5mm thick piece of pyrolytic graphite, which can be stably levitated about a millimeter above a 2x2 array of neodymium magnets.

[@yumemsora]

Hey - Fantastic video!!!! Thank you so much for posting, and for providing so much information. Very thorough yet concise, clear, well researched and your work is stunning in its complexity and aesthetics! 10 out of 10, thank you again!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

+Emily Thanks for your kind comment!

[@nerdherd1796]

Wow... there is no way I am not making this!

[@Ulim151]

Nerd Herd You want a reason? Just google diamagnetic track

[@dc2008242]

Ulim151 he said NO way I am NOT making this it's a double negative therefore it is "I am absolutely making this"

[@Ulim151]

Well i said that pyrolitic graphite is better because you can run it on a circular track. So he wants to make a track instead of 2 chunks of bismuth which are hard to tune.

[@gira5654]

Ummmm yeah no you didn't say anything close to that

[@Ulim151]

Naim Mazlan in the first comment i meant : You want a reason not to make the bismuth thing? Just google diamagnetic track thats better.

[@noahvalenzuela9161]

Hello, I am fascinated by the concept of magnetism and this video was a true work of art. I would like to say that these videos really inspire me to go into the field of science when i graduate high school. Keep up the good work!

[@Bikewithlove]

That's quite a leap from the test build to the final design, well thought out.

[@Locane256]

I'm leaving a comment because you said that reading them is your favorite thing. Your video turned me on to Bismuth as an element and the idea of diamagentism. It's 2:41 am, and I have work tomorrow, and I'm researching obscure magnetic properties. Damn you, internet. I also want to say that I really appreciated the methodical and patient approach you took to making this, showing us each step and explaining everything along the way. If only every scientist in the world were as thorough.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

+Locane256 Thank you!

[@electronicsNmore]

I saw the Bismuth Levitator video Ernie made in the past. A very good video, but of course your video shined bright due to your excellent camera work & editing, well crafted device, and clearly spoken words. A+

[@ianfink3869]

I enjoyed this comment as well it was spoken well.

[@TUTAMKHAMON]

One of the nails was like: "Goodbye, my planet needs me". 1:18 :D

[@joshp6061]

Wondering if anyone else saw that lol

[@ragingwillie483]

i dont know how i missed this video for so long. As always, greatful to have been able to share this. THANK YOU

[@urchinsub]

I already loved Bismuth for its beautiful crystal structures, I had no idea it could be used this way. I so want to start collecting Bismuth.

[@NuBmCWeAkSaUCe]

Now I want to see a room-sized one of these.

[@KeystoneScience]

This is super cool night hawkin!!!!!! Thanks for the video!

[@helpabrothawithasubisaiah5316]

Why don't you have a checkmark bro... People flock to verified users in comments

[@cr0ssley]

I love how when you shook the proto-type the magnet flew around like it was attached to string, you should try making a device that shows that in full glory

[@Drew_Hurst]

Loved it! I love working hi-tech art. Beautiful result!

[@arcadeuk]

Well that just looks fantastic, I really want to have a go at making the same

[@PTate]

This is amazing! I started out with your how to make bismuth crystals and moved onto your making a tshirt with bleach one. But this one is even more amazing =D Thank you for being curious and creative! The design you made is very beautiful and I'm sure I will be trying this soon (I have access to a metal shop so when I try this out I will send you a video ^.^). Looking forward to your next video.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

+Ashley Stafford Thanks! Please do send a video if you try this

[@tanishahamelin81]

I love this!! Bismuth is so beautiful, and I love the design.

[@Enter_channel_name]

NightHawkInLight is one of my favorite youtube channels!!!

[@ARandomGuy13]

That was awesome! I am going to have to try that one day when I have the time. Do you think that adding magnets around the cooling metal would affect the crystals?

[@holleyhester471]

Very cool! I'm an undergraduate chemistry student interested in inorganic chemistry. I got some bismuth in the mail today and was startled that it's diamagnetism could be so easily observed. Did some googling and stumbled upon your videos. LOVE this project and its aesthetics. I hope to attempt something similar once I get comfortable with the bismuth crystallization. Have you considered doing something on a smaller scale or is the 1/8th inch magnet your limiting reagent? Keep up the good work! Grace

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I mostly considered how large I could go rather than how small. A smaller setup I imagine would work fine

[@TheMasonX23]

Holley Hester The more I learn about it, the more I realize just how cool bismuth is. It's quickly becoming one of my favorite elements

[@apexsquantum68]

I recently bought a bismuth Crystal and am hooked on these films on making them and particularly the levitating magnet device, i plan to start making my own very soon.... amazing to watch and mesmerising also

[@klebdapleb3928]

TOTALLY AWESOME!!! This is so cool! can't wait to see what you have next!

[@HeatherFeatherASMR]

Gaaaaaaaaaaah your house must be the coolest place ever. I would frolic through it, and touch everything. When you pour the bismuth, it looks beautiful.

[@guadalupeayvar6334]

Ola.como estas

[@woundedslug7485]

+Heather Feather ASMR touch.... everything?

[@lordmaxson9631]

Heather?? Hey! What are you doing here???

[@Sylvael2002]

No more LSD for you...

[@Nevir202]

Wow, Heather! What a pleasant surprise seeing you here! :-D Gonna make a bismuth casting video for us soon? :-p

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Awesome video! Very interesting material!

[@tomclanys]

I absolutely love the style and all of your videos ^-^ Keep it coming, man! :D

[@squeakytoyrecords1702]

Art and science, the definition of beauty. Thank you for your service.

[@GoExperimental]

Id quite like to feature this in a new compilation video I'm working on but I'd like to do it on a bigger scale. Let's say for example with a 1-inch magnetic cube as so far I can only find examples of this with the 1/4 inch. Is it as simple as just scaling everything up or is there some reason nobody has done it with bigger magnets?

[@charlesdickens6706]

If you say double the dimensions then the mass increases according to the dimensional increase cubed . So it's weight would increase eight times which can exceed capabilities of magnetic field pretty quick. Of course electro magnets might be an option but that requires energy consumption .

[@momothromycin8506]

@@charlesdickens6706 Which is fine if the device is levitating a train id say

[@TheRolemodel1337]

2:00 Magnetic fields arent exponential in nature but propotional over 1/d^2 if im right. else they would get infinitely strong towards its source

[@Skellborn]

***** Well... isnt the ^2 exponential? As in reality there's no such thing as infinitessimaly small so it won't get infinite, but the maths still work.

[@TheRolemodel1337]

right i got that wrong thx school was a long time ago :) i was thinking about the surface of a sphere and got to the circumference of a circle basically

[@staratmidnight7]

Skellborn It's somewhat counterintuitive, but even though ^2 is an exponent, it's not an exponential function. Exponential functions are those in which "e" is raised to a power, notated as e^(x) or exp(x). Exponential functions almost exclusively deal with situations where the present amount of something is a factor, such as population, radioactive decay, or monetary interest.

[@staratmidnight7]

Mark C. As a note, it does depend what type of field you're dealing with; static fields generated by monopoles (say, from an electron) drop off according to 1/r^2. Fields generated by dipoles (such as magnetic fields) drop off as 1/r^3.

[@Skellborn]

***** Yeah you're right about the exponential function. Maybe exponential has a slightly different meaning in english compared to german, where you can use exponential to describe something "that gets bigger faster and faster"

[@jujub2772]

This is amazing, Tom from Blink182 spoke about this as well. David Wilcock also working on antigravity. So grateful for you. Much love!

[@heidiheberlein1374]

this is so beautiful. I show this video obsessively to everyone. thank you!

[@MrJoBilly]

This, small scale = deskplaything :D

[@kingpanguan]

Could you do this with the crystal forms instead of the flat parts?

[@em4392]

Na

[@Kissaki0]

Awesome, thank you for the in-depth description!

[@heidi22209]

Whenever im feeling down. I watch this. Thanks ❤️

[@SpecificLove7]

Very interesting science project

[@user-iv1dp2fw9c]

Uh.....Sorry my English is not so well , but I want to ask you how to make the top plate and the bismuth of your final model.... Do you know what I mean ....?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

+黃俊詠 The same way as the bottom was made, it's just mounted at a different angle

[@michaelhyams632]

+黃俊詠 Your English was actually just fine :)

[@user-iv1dp2fw9c]

Thank you.

[@tot2600hrs]

aaaaaaaannnnnndddd now the Chinese took your invention. It'll be at Walmart next month for 99 cents, albeit a crudely build version.

[@CJDe-kx8of]

You and what you do are simply amazing! If you aren't, you should be a teacher; you're real good at it and at keeping subjects fun and interesting which keeps the attention of those to whom you impart your knowledge.

[@nagpapaganda]

Rejuvenated my childlike sense of wonder; wow, hoo-ray, Bismuth is amazing; i have wanted to create a levitating object with magnets; I think I now have the knowledge to do it thanks to you. Your mother should be very proud. Namgalsipsclar!

[@IcyLight98]

"Reading them is my favorite part of releasing a new video" That's a bloody lie, there are too many assholes in the comment section for it to be enjoyable. Anyways, great video! I think that I might actually do this one. Some of the other tutorials are too complex to do at home.

[@LivinBilly]

I haven't seen too many jerks in his comment section. Seems like a pretty good, well-meaning community actually.

[@GamingStepByStep]

This gives me a lot of hope for theory I've been developing for years, I just wish I found this sooner lol.

[@TheWuBzChannel]

have your theories come to life? what were they

[@osamabinladen824]

Tell us some of it.

[@mobilemarshall]

@@osamabinladen824 the same as all the other stupid magnet infinite energy theories I'm sure

[@shean7890]

Just amazing, and your dedication and patience is fascinating, thank you 🙏

[@GilbertBigelow]

Beautiful design, simple elegant! Thanks!

[@SgtNomadZero]

So now we just need to make subway tubes out of bismuth and have the train and ceiling generate a magnetic field.

[@paul.orourke497]

Sgt Nomad That's exactly what I was thinking

[@kittenmoon8425]

So many electronics would be destroyed however

[@SgtNomadZero]

***** hmmmm. Alright what if then instead we have the outside of the train be an electromagnet and the walls of the train made of bismuth. Pull into station, the train shuts down it's magnet to "land" and everyone can board with no magnetic interference.

[@ejlerthomsen]

Sgt Nomad Quantum locking would be the most efficient way to create a maglev train. Quantum locking would also not require magnetic fields large enough to surround the train so no electronics would be in danger.

[@cheesemaster6666]

That would be extremely expensive and the amount of fuel efficiency gained would not be worth the cost of the resources. However, the concept of using magnetism to lift and propel trains has been implemented (en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglev). Mag Lev trains can go much faster because they have no friction with the ground, and using electromagnets to propel the train is actually a pretty cost efficient method of transportation.

[@heliumbulloon3721]

At 1:19 a nail just flys into the air

[@diogoayres7953]

Helium bulloon Seems like someone got stabbed by a nail...

[@junkequation]

thanks david, that confused the hell out of me and I couldnt continue the video without some kind of explanation

[@MrEbenezer13]

THIS is what I've been looking for all my life!! THANKS!! :-D

[@markbe5603]

Thank you very much for this! It is very inspirational. The piece turned out quite beautiful!

[@pongjazzle5577]

Could you put a ferro fluid between the plates?

[@dankbeluga9636]

:O

[@Toastybear1]

+Pongjazzle would have to be a magnetic liquid

[@Toastybear1]

+Pongjazzle and given magnetism is created by the atoms lining up, and facing the same way, I'm not sure thats possible (not sure at all though!)

[@WizCorrifa]

+marcus allison Thats what a ferrofluid is though right?

[@dankbeluga9636]

Corey Flynn yeah...

[@JorgenLePoulpe]

There is a force acting on that magnet against gravity. there is energy spent in a way or another, and maybe it can last as long as universe itself or even more I don't know about that but it cannot last forever. Perpetual motion is a myth.

[@MegaKopfschmerzen]

When a rock is lying on the ground. The force of the rock on the ground (normal force) is also counteracting gravity. This video just shows two counteracting forces in equilibrium. It's pretty much the same thing. By the way, what do you mean by perpetual motion? As far as I watched the video, the magnet is hanging still. If you are referring to the spinning of the magnet, it will eventually slow due to air resistance.

[@JorgenLePoulpe]

Perpetual motion was probably not the right term here and yes the ground can also hold something from going down to the center of the Earth due the atoms own electromagnetic field but my point still hold, the magnetic field doesn't come from nowhere nor it can last forever. Something has to be turned into a force strong enough to levitate, it doesn't just happens and last forever. Atoms themselves decay over time. I'm not sure about that but if you measure the mass or a magnet over a very period of time its mass should decrease.

[@DratiniRPG]

Ummm he stated this in the video. That it would "levitate" over 100 years until the configuration would needed to be adjusted to compensate for magnetic loss.

[@MegaKopfschmerzen]

Yes, magnetic loss will occur due to warmth. A magnet is nothing more than just iron or another ferromagnetic element with atoms that are all pointing in the same direction. Warmth is the movement of atoms (by definition) When the atoms in a magnet move, they start pointing in more random directions. Eventually they point in all directions evenly and therefore there is no magnetic power anymore. If this experiment were performed at 0 K, the magnet would levitate indefinitely.

[@tennicktenstyl]

why would you even care if that could last till you die

[@xsirfr1958]

A really nice work of art! Beautiful!

[@Gigis1111]

Beautiful. Great video man. The first videos I saw made by you were the mortar and other mine. You make a really divers set of videos. Keep up the good work

[@crib467]

Watch someone make a video on this and title it "infinite engergy hack" or something

[@usertab2005]

I have no clue how I got here.....but, this is really awesome! Nice work man.

[@machadodesigncraft]

Great Job! Beautiful Aesthetics! Keep on!

[@huwpenson2678]

bloody awesome mate, keep rockin and we keep watchin !!

[@masonheath5127]

Hi:) this is definitely one of your best! thankyou for making all these abstract masterpieces! they're fantastic gift ideas that are unique and that easily take the spotlight. Thankyou for all that you are..and even though I don't know you, you're one of the best people I know:)

[@edgeeffect]

Fabulous design... a science demonstration with very nice natural and man-made aesthetics.... excellent work.

[@randominternetprofile8270]

That's a really cool design. Great job dude

[@IMTHESHOW]

Thanks for this video, i found every second more interesting then the last.

[@stephenwright3501]

I have watched several of your videos and have been very entertained. I look forward to exploring the rest.

[@tr0y36]

This was very nicely done, thank you!

[@ricochetaz3846]

Damn, looking at the age of some of the comments I may be a day late and a dollar short! I was perusing youtube for something to learn for myself and to dazzle my grandchildren and to stir their curiosity. As a simple man, some of the most beautiful things such as your experiment here are difficult to reproduce for me. I will persevere though. There are young minds to be molded and great things to be shared. Thank you for doing so your self. R🇺🇸

[@novalynnleilashea]

I am so anxious to make this. I HAVE to make it! Thank you for the information and inspiration!!!!!

[@ChrstphreCampbell]

Why have i never heard of this ( substantially out of school ) !!! This is amazing !

[@Silvesterkanal]

Whe I was a little boy I used to find Bismuth Cristals from time to time and I always thought it was Silver or some kind of aluminium, but now I know better! Thanks!

[@OverlandOne]

Very well done. That looks great.

[@waylontmccann]

Great sculpture nighthawk!

[@flaplaya]

Probably the highest quality science channel around and good luck on 1M subsccribers mate.

[@FernandoPerez-ow8jo]

appreciate your great creativity in those projects

[@Laek4]

I love your content, watched for years, but I'm a lurker. I like revisiting the old stuff like this sometimes

[@kevinreed3760]

Very interesting! I've been trying to figure out a way to levitate a person in mid air on a platform or something. This just gave me part of the answer. Thank you.

[@DaDavid15]

First time learning of bismuth. beautiful!

[@gdibble]

Very nice experiment and final product!

[@mandybaybee7749]

I wish I had seen this back when I was in school! Dope science project

[@blaze9872]

This was an amazing project! So cool! I just subscribed for more content like this!

[@SarntRexxo]

Watched both videos. Long story short, ive ordered around 10 lbs of bismuth to create with. Your vids are the best man.

[@bahrgsmith843]

Awesome video as always 👍

[@travisstreeter5092]

So exciting. Nice video!

[@TylerCJF]

I think this is a brilliant way to make a beautiful metal into an even more beautiful piece of art. Can't wait to try it myself :)

[@audreymayo5110]

So beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing 🌟

[@aaronwadzinski5761]

I'm going to have to do a project with bismuth... this stuff is too cool looking! Thanks for the vids.

[@fagahot]

Amazing project!

[@cheeseycheesepuffsinc.1979]

this is so awesome, it can stay spinning for over 100 years, man i love science. these videos are awesome too!

[@SiskinOnUTube]

Those are some very pretty crystals. Enjoyable video. Thanks.

[@Enderneko666]

cheaper and more beautiful than diamonds

[@knightryderbelow]

The future looks so exciting!!!

[@ZeroAlligator]

Cool video, thanks for posting!

[@melldotexe5209]

THANK YOU SO MUCH I ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE A VIDEO ABOUT BISMUTH'S HIGH DIAMAGNETISM

[@jpsengin2]

Well made, well thought out, we'll planned, awesome music! Way to go, turning a science project into a thing of beauty, and a work of art! Poetry in perpetual motion! 😉

[@X3msnake]

Awsome work Master. I finally see what i tried to achieve when i learned about bismuth properties as a kid realised. Might revisit it someday now that i know it is possible and how to do it. Thanks for the awsome videos :)

[@AdamsWorld84]

AMAZING!!! love these crystals

[@WhatAWondWorld]

How wonderful it is! Thank you very much for the video!