Create an Electromagnet

Equipment: Insulated copper wire (hobby wire), Size D batteries (or 9V), Rubber Bands, Iron Nails, Paper Clips, Masking Tape

Exploration: Given the equipment, try to magnetize your nail so that it can pick up at least one paper clip.

After 5 minutes, your teacher will give you further instructions to help you make your electromagnet. Sketch a working electromagnet below.

 

 

Experiment: How can you increase the strength of the electomagnet?

First you need a control, a baseline strength for your magnet. Test how many staples, or paper clips yours can pick up. ______

For each hypothesis stated, test and describe your results.

1. Hypothesis 1: If you increase the number of loops in the wire, then the magnet will be stronger.

Results

2. Hypothesis 2: If you increase the number of size of the nail, the magnet will be stronger.

Results

3. Hypothesis 3: If you increase the size of the battery (or add another battery), the magnet will be stronger.

Results:

 

Electromagnet Examples - Built by Students