DIY Magnetic Field Visualizer Kit, Bottle and Particles — POLARIS
Tax included
In the box
- 1 clear bottle
- 1 metal screw cap
- 1 small clear tube
- 1 packet of magnetic particles
- 2 magnets
All you need to know
Build-it kit 2 magnets included The POLARIS magnetic field visualizer kit makes visible what is usually hidden: the field lines surrounding a magnet. This is a build-it-yourself science kit that includes a clear bottle with a metal screw cap, a small clear tube, a bag of black magnetic particles, and two magnets. Simply fill the bottle with a clear liquid (not included), pour in the particles, and seal it tightly. Then bring the magnets close to the wall: the particles stand up in bristling spikes, align, move with the magnet, and reveal the three-dimensional shape of the magnetic field. A simple physics experiment that requires no batteries or electricity and can be done with family, in class, or at a desk. Once assembled, the bottle becomes a scientific object that is fun to manipulate over and over again.
The magnetic field, finally visible
Every magnet is surrounded by an invisible magnetic field that extends from one pole to the other. As early as the 18th century, physicists came up with the idea of sprinkling iron filings around a magnet: each grain becomes magnetized in turn and aligns with the field, creating a series of curved lines. This is the famous "map" of field lines found in physics textbooks.
The POLARIS kit recreates this experiment in three dimensions. In the liquid, the magnetic particles are free to move: they stack up along the field lines and form spikes where the field is strongest, near the magnet's poles. Move the magnet, or bring a second one close: the pattern changes instantly, showing how two fields combine.
Why you'll love it
The POLARIS spirit
Seeing the invisible
We've known since school that magnets attract iron. But seeing the force itself, in real time, is something else entirely. With POLARIS, bring a magnet close to the bottle and, in a second, dozens of black spikes rise, tilt, and follow your hand.
This kit is designed for those who like to learn by doing: prepare your bottle, conduct your own experiments, observe, and compare. A little pocket laboratory that turns an abstract concept into an unforgettable image.
Assemble the kit in 4 steps
POLARIS kit or ferrofluid?
| Feature | POLARIS | MAGNETA |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | Magnetic particles in a clear liquid | Ferrofluid, a magnetic liquid |
| Assembly | Build-it-yourself kit | Ready to use |
| Magnets | 2 magnets included | 2 magnets included |
| Effect | Bristling spikes along the field lines | Black liquid sculpted into spikes |
| Ideal for | Learning by doing, with family or in class | Decorative desk object |
Good to know: the filling liquid is not included. Water is sufficient for a first experiment. For a bottle that stays looking good for a long time, a clear oil (such as paraffin oil or baby oil) is a better choice: the particles move more slowly, making the patterns clearer. If you prefer a ready-made effect, discover the MAGNETA magnetic ferrofluid in a bottle.
Tip: don't use the whole bag at once. Start with a small amount of particles, test it with a magnet, and then add more if needed: too many particles cloud the liquid and obscure the field lines. For a lasting seal, a turn of sealing tape around the threads before screwing on the cap will help prevent leaks.
Technical specifications
| Type | Build-it magnetic field experiment kit |
| Bottle | 1 cylindrical clear bottle |
| Closure | 1 metal screw cap |
| Accessory | 1 small clear tube |
| Particles | 1 bag of black magnetic particles |
| Magnets | 2 round magnets |
| Filling liquid | Not included |
| Power supply | None, no batteries or electricity |
| Assembly | Filling, adding the particles, screwing on the cap |
| Topics covered | Magnetism, field lines, magnet poles |
| Color | Clear, black particles, silver cap |
Warning, magnets and small parts: magnets must be kept away from pacemakers and implanted defibrillators; do not wear them near your chest. Keep them away from credit cards, mechanical watches, and electronic devices.
The kit contains magnets, small parts, and particle powder: keep it out of reach of young children (choking hazard). Assemble the kit under adult supervision on a protected surface; wash your hands after handling the particles. This is not a toy for young children.
A gift for curious minds
POLARIS is an affordable and original science gift for a science-loving teenager, student, teacher, or adult who enjoys creating their own experiments. It is perfect for Christmas or as a birthday gift. For a more complete gift set, pair it with another do-it-yourself experiment, such as the GERMINA crystal garden or the TORNADE tornado kit.
Pair with
Frequently asked questions
What exactly does the POLARIS kit contain?
The kit includes one clear bottle, its metal screw cap, a small clear tube, a bag of black magnetic particles, and two round magnets. The filling liquid is not included: water or a clear oil will work. The wooden stand shown in one of the photos is a display element and is not included. With these items, you can prepare your own magnetic field visualizer in a few minutes. The rest of the bag is saved for a second filling.
Do you really have to assemble the kit yourself?
Yes, POLARIS is a DIY kit: it comes in pieces, with an empty bottle and particles in their bag. Assembly is simple and requires no tools: fill the bottle with liquid, pour in some of the particles, then screw the cap on tightly. Allow a few minutes. This step is part of the fun: you choose the amount of particles yourself and observe how it changes the result. For younger children, assembly should be done with an adult.
What liquid should be used to fill the bottle?
The liquid is not included. Water is suitable for a first experiment, but the metal particles may deteriorate in it over time. For a bottle that lasts, choose a clear oil, such as paraffin oil or baby oil: it protects the particles and slows their movement, making the field lines clearer and easier to observe. Avoid colored or cloudy liquids, which would obscure the effect. Fill the bottle almost to the brim to minimize air bubbles, which interfere with observing the particles.
How does the experiment work?
Each particle behaves like a tiny compass: in the presence of a magnet, it becomes magnetized and aligns with the magnetic field. The particles then cling to each other and form chains, then upright spikes where the field is strongest, near the poles. By moving the magnet along the bottle, you see the pattern deform and follow your hand. With two magnets, you can observe attraction or repulsion depending on their orientation. Gently turn the bottle upside down between experiments to redistribute the particles.
Is it the same thing as ferrofluid?
No. With POLARIS, you pour magnetic particle powder yourself into a clear liquid: near a magnet, they stand up in spikes that follow the field lines, like iron filings in physics experiments. A ferrofluid, on the other hand, is a liquid that is itself magnetic: iron nanoparticles remain permanently dispersed in it, and the entire liquid is sculpted into smooth, shiny spikes. POLARIS is more educational and you build it yourself; for a ready-made ferrofluid effect, discover the MAGNETA magnetic ferrofluid. The two complement each other perfectly on a shelf of scientific curiosities.
From what age and with what precautions?
The kit contains magnets, small parts, and particle powder: it must be kept out of reach of young children, who could swallow them. Teenagers can conduct the experiment, and younger children can do it with an adult. Keep the magnets away from pacemakers and implanted defibrillators, credit cards, and electronic devices. Assemble the kit on a protected surface and wash your hands after handling the particles. Store the kit with the magnets separately once the experiment is finished.
Is the POLARIS kit a good gift idea?
It is an affordable and original science gift for a curious teenager, a science student, a teacher looking for a demonstration for their class, or an adult who enjoys experiments. It is perfect for Christmas and birthdays. For a "little chemist and physicist" gift set, pair it with the GERMINA crystal garden or the TORNADE kit, two other do-it-yourself experiments. Its compact format fits easily into a gift box or Christmas stocking, and it requires no tools.
