Spherical magnetizable body partially immersed in a magnetic fluid in a uniform magnetic field

•Magnetizable body can levitate in a MF drop on a plane in a uniform magnetic field.•Analytical expression for the magnetic force acting on the body is found.•The body levitation height is theoretically and experimentally investigated. The statics of the spherical body with magnetizable material (body), partially immersed in the magnetic fluid drop on the horizontal plane in the uniform vertical applied magnetic field are experimentally and theoretically considered. It is shown that the deformation of the magnetic fluid in the applied magnetic field can be used to lift the body above the plane.