I used the credit cards, the floppy disks and the hard disk to practice finding domain patterns. I mixed toner with isopropanol, used an eyedropper to place it onto the magnetic strip of the samples, and was able to view domain patterns with the help of the microscope. I saved these pictures onto the computer and then printed these pictures. Isopropanol and methanol toner solutions both visually provided suitable domain patterns on the credit cards, but not on the disks and hard drive. The Isopropanol and methanol toner solutions must be used carefully in the classroom.
Isopropanol is easily available as rubbing alcohol in almost any store.
Isopropanol and methanol toner solutions only required a 13-minute drying time. By adding colored ink to the toner solutions, the ink gains magnetic properties and can easily align itself on the magnetic domains of the credit cards. The large grain size of the toner particles made it possible to study dynamic effects. The third purpose of this project was for me to acquire a transfer activity to be used in my 6 th grade classroom. Since it is not likely that I will be able to have the video camera and software in my classroom, I tried using clear plastic or transparent paper.