  A sphere of a ferrogel is exposed to a homogeneous magnetic field. In
accordance to theoretical predictions, it gets elongated along the field lines.
The time-dependence of the elastic shear modulus causes the elongation to
increase with time analogously to mechanic creep experiments, and the rapid
excitation causes the sphere to vibrate. Both phenomena can be well described
by a damped harmonic oscillator model. By comparing the elongation along the
field with the contraction perpendicular to it, we can calculate Poisson's
ratio of the gel. The magnitude of the elongation is compared with the
theoretical predictions for elastic spheres in homogeneous fields.
