# Bismuth Bound (DD-484)

> 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.

- Department: Science
- First published: 2025-02-10
- Last updated: 2025-02-10
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bismuth-bound/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-484-F01**: Strongly diamagnetic. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Property))_
- **DD-484-F02**: Opposes magnetic fields. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Effect))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Property**: Strongly diamagnetic.
2. **Effect**: Opposes magnetic fields.
3. **Magnet**: Neodymium.
4. **Result**: Stable levitation.
5. **Crystals**: Iridescent oxide colors.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Bismuth Bound: Bismuth Pushes Back Against Magnets

- Duration: 22.5 s · Published: 2025-02-10
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DF6Wf2lJSFZ.mp4

### Transcript

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

## Questions & answers

**Q: Bismuth is strongly...?**  
A: Opposes. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Property) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism)_

**Q: Which magnet?**  
A: Strong. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Effect) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism)_

**Q: Result?**  
A: Floats. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Magnet) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism)_

**Q: Crystal colors come from?**  
A: Iridescent. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Result) · Wikipedia: Diamagnetism)_

**Q: What does it oppose?**  
A: Field. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Crystals) · Wikipedia: Bismuth)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Bismuth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bismuth)
- [Wikipedia: Diamagnetism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamagnetism)

## 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/