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Bismuth Bound

Short answer: Bismuth is one of the most strongly diamagnetic elements: it creates a weak magnetic field opposing an applied one. Placed near a strong neodymium magnet, pieces of bismuth can make a small magnet float stably between them, a form of diamagnetic levitation.

The footage, credited to dydt, shows a small magnet hovering between iridescent bismuth crystals.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Bismuth Bound?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Strongly diamagnetic.

    DD-484-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Property)

  2. Opposes magnetic fields.

    DD-484-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Effect)

Video transcript: Bismuth Bound: Bismuth Pushes Back Against Magnets

Magnetic levitation [...] where bismuth [...] As one of [...] oppose an external [...] when paired with [...] neodymium magnet [...] float due to [...] NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 22.5s Reel ·

Video coming soonBismuth Bound · Instagram Reel
Bismuth Bound: Bismuth Pushes Back Against Magnets Instagram Reel · · 22.5s

The write-up

Bismuth pushes back against magnets. Strong enough to float a tiny magnet.

  1. Exhibit A

    Property

    Strongly diamagnetic.

  2. Exhibit B

    Effect

    Opposes magnetic fields.

  3. Exhibit C

    Magnet

    Neodymium.

  4. Exhibit D

    Result

    Stable levitation.

  5. Exhibit E

    Crystals

    Iridescent oxide colors.

Questions people ask about Bismuth Bound

Bismuth is strongly...?

Opposes.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Property) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism

Which magnet?

Strong.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Effect) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism

Result?

Floats.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Magnet) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism

Crystal colors come from?

Iridescent.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Result) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism

What does it oppose?

Field.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Crystals) · Wikipedia: Bismuth

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Bismuth is strongly...?

    1. Diamagnetic
    2. Ferromagnetic
    3. Radioactive
    4. Liquid
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Diamagnetic Opposes. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Property) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism

  2. Which magnet?

    1. Neodymium
    2. Fridge magnet
    3. Clay
    4. Lodestone only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Neodymium Strong. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Effect) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism

  3. Result?

    1. Levitation
    2. Explosion
    3. Melting
    4. Glow
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Levitation Floats. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Magnet) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism

  4. Crystal colors come from?

    1. Oxide layer
    2. Paint
    3. Dye
    4. Light bulbs
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Oxide layer Iridescent. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Result) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism

  5. What does it oppose?

    1. External magnetic field
    2. Gravity alone
    3. Heat
    4. Sound
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. External magnetic field Field. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Crystals) · Wikipedia: Bismuth

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Bismuth Bound." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-484, last updated Feb 10, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bismuth-bound/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bismuth-bound/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-484-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bismuth-bound/#DD-484-F01