Magnetic forces in paramagnetic fluids

Abstract

An overview of the effect of a magnetic field gradient on fluids with linear magnetic susceptibilities is given. It is shown that two commonly encountered expressions, the magnetic field gradient force and the concentration gradient force for paramagnetic species in solution are equivalent for incompressible fluids. The magnetic field gradient and concentration gradient forces are approximations of the Kelvin force and Korteweg-Helmholtz force densities, respectively. The criterion for the appearance of magnetically induced convection is derived. Experimental work in which magnetically induced convection plays a role is reviewed.

Keywords: magnetic convection; magnetic field gradients; magnetic forces; magnetoelectrochemistry; paramagnetic fluids; paramagnetic ions.