Investigating the Magnetic Properties of Coffee: A Cheap Experiment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the magnetic properties of coffee, specifically an observation made when stirring instant coffee in hot water. Participants explore potential explanations for the observed behavior of coffee particles sticking to a spoon, considering both magnetic and non-magnetic factors. The scope includes experimental observations and speculative reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that coffee particles sometimes stick to a spoon in a manner resembling iron filings in a magnetic field, suggesting possible magnetism or contamination with ferromagnetic material.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that the phenomenon could be due to "personal magnetism."
  • A participant expresses interest in the coffee itself rather than the experiment, indicating a light-hearted tone in parts of the discussion.
  • One participant mentions that adding creamer and stirring with a plastic spoon may have compromised their experiment, leading to inconclusive results.
  • Another participant proposes that the sticking of particles could be attributed to static electricity rather than magnetism.
  • A later reply questions whether the observed filaments are due to the stirring motion rather than magnetic effects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views regarding the cause of the observed phenomenon, with no consensus on whether the behavior is due to magnetism, static electricity, or other factors. The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of the coffee particles and the effects of stirring are not fully explored, and the role of additional ingredients like creamer is acknowledged but not quantified. The discussion also reflects varying levels of familiarity with chemistry among participants.

alexepascual
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You can try this. Boil water in a cup, and put a teaspoon of instantaneous coffee in it. I have observed that when you do this, most of the time there is some coffee sticking to the spoon after I empty it in the cup. these particles of cofee form filaments like those that are formed by iron filings in a magnetic field. They stick out from the spoon like if they were being repeled.
I have not done this as an experiment but It just happens that I make coffee that way and I usually observe this phenomenon. Now, if this was magnetism, then I would suspect the coffee has been adulterated with some ferromagnetic material. I have not tried doing it with a plastic spoon, which would I guess disprove the magnetic theory if it still happens.
Another explanation would be that the moisture from the hot water somehow allows the particles in the coffee to coalesce in a particular way.
I have lately been too busy to start doing experiments on this, but maybe some of you guys have the time and can tell us your experience and conclussions on this topic. The nice thing is that it is a cheap experiment.
 
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Maybe it is your personal magnetism.
 
I'd just like to have some of that instantaneous coffee. Where can I get that? :biggrin:
 
lol about the instantaneous coffee.

Wow...Math is Hard...that's quite the Borg drone...looks a bit like a female version of Hugh (so what would you call her?)

Sorry for the totally off topic post. Then again, so was yours, MIH. :-p
 
cepheid said:
lol about the instantaneous coffee.

Wow...Math is Hard...that's quite the Borg drone...looks a bit like a female version of Hugh (so what would you call her?)

Sorry for the totally off topic post. Then again, so was yours, MIH. :-p
Thanks, cepheid. It's my Halloween costume! Trick or treat! :biggrin:

Yes, I was completely off-topic. However, I am presently sitting here with a cup of instant coffee making observations. I think I have ruined the experiment by adding creamer, nutra-sweet, and by stirring with a plastic spoon.
 
Well, did it work?
 
Results were inconclusive. :frown: This probably has something to do with me being extremely bad at chemistry, though. :biggrin:
 
Its the same reason dust sticks to everything: yes, its magnetic. It comes from static electricity.
 
alexepascual said:
these particles of cofee form filaments like those that are formed by iron filings in a magnetic field. They stick out from the spoon like if they were being repeled.

I have not done the experiment or anythign but I was thinking that maybe the particles of coffee form those filaments because of the way you stir the spoon around the cup and might not to be to do with magnetism at all.
 

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