Curie Point of Nickel
A silver nickel sphere is attracted to a dark solid suspended by a string looped around a handle. In the second photo, the sphere is heated by a blue flame. In the third photo, the magnet is no longer attached to the solid, and the magnet is seen at the base of the stand.
Description: Nickel samples are heated above their Curie temperature and are no longer ferromagnetic.
This demonstration is also available on JCE Solid State Resources CD-Rom
Source: Ellis, A. et al. Teaching General Chemistry: A Material Source Companion
Year: 1993 Vol: N/A Page: 34
Keywords: Nickel samples, Curie temperature, Ferromagnetism
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Flammability hazard
- Burn hazard
Effectiveness: Average
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Results are observable without guidance
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Time to results is low
Difficulty: Medium
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Demos at non-standard conditions
- Use of flammable materials
- Some careful manipulations required
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Thermal gloves required
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Perform on a heat resistant surface
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Solid State Chemistry
Division: Material Science
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