We decided to create Ferrofluid. Ferrofluid is a magnetic fluid that magnetizes when you place rare earth metals next to it. Its texture changes when it magnetizes, which is something we noticed in videos while we were researching it. This caused us to wonder if its density also changes, because if it does we could use it in our vehicle to accelerate and brake. We also discovered that Ferrofluid is already used in the suspension of some cars, so we know it's stable enough for use in everyday vehicles.
We spoke with the chemistry teacher at our school, Brian Pickerell and he agreed to help us after our first attempt to make it ourselves failed. He advised us to use this experiment for a guideline, but he tweaked it somewhat: http://www.gdiy.com/projects/liquid-magnets-ferrofluid/index.php
He showed us the scientific equation for the experiment (pictured below).
Then, he showed us a basic demonstration of what we would essentially be doing. Mixing chemicals that are fully separated, letting them react, then letting them resettle into our desired product and the excess byproducts.
We then began by measuring out Ferric Chloride.
We added water to the Ferric Chloride.
We heated the mixture.
We added steel wool to the mixture in order for a reaction to take place between the iron and the Ferric Chloride.
But we over-saturated it and had to repeat the beginning of the experiment.
We learned we had to add the steel wool just a few fibers at a time.