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Nature 457, 805 (12 February 2009) | doi:10.1038/457805a; Published online 11 February 2009

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Analytical chemistry: Reactions assayed by magnets

David E. Bergbreiter1

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Does it float or sink? And to what extent? The answers to these questions can be used to follow the course of chemical reactions on solid supports, and are obtained simply by using two magnets, a salt solution and a ruler.

A generation of children is familiar with the concept of levitation from the adventures of Harry Potter, and could be forgiven for thinking it unremarkable. Scientists will know of real-world examples — reports of levitating water-droplets1, cells2 and even frogs3 — but most of them probably think of it as nothing more than a curiosity.

  1. David E. Bergbreiter is in the Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, PO Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77843-3012, USA.
    Email: bergbreiter@tamu.edu

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