Electromagnet Lab Report

Question – What is the effect of number of coils in the strength of an electromagnet?

*Hypothesis – If I increase the number of coils in an electromagnet, then I think the

magnet will pick up more nails.

*Variables –
 Independent Variable – number of coils
 Dependent Variable – number of paper clips picked dup
 Controlled Variables – battery, wire (conductor), iron core (nail)

Ratios+ANSWERS.pdf

Procedures –
1. Place a fresh battery in a battery holder and connect one end of the wire to the battery holder.
2. Wrap the wire around the iron nail 20 times, and then connect the other end of the wire to the
battery holder.
3. Try to pick up paperclips with the electromagnet. Record the number of paperclips the
electromagnet picks up.
4. Disconnect one end of the wire from the battery holder. Wrap 20 more coils around the nail.
5. Repeat step #3.
6. Repeat steps #4 and 5.
*Data –
Title: Electromagnet: Relationship between coils of wire and strength of magnet
Number Number of paper clips picked up
of Coils Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Mean
4 Paper 5 Paper 5 Paper 4.6
20
Clips Clips Clips
8 Paper 9 Paper 5 Paper 7.3
40
Clips Clips Clips
12 Paper 10 Paper 9 Paper 10.3
60
Clips Clips Clips
Create a graph of the results from your data table using the inking tool. Remember, dependent
variable is on y, and independent variable is on x.
Title: Electromagnet: Relationship between coils of wire and strength of magnet
*Results –
 What was the mean for each of the coil numbers?
 What trends (patterns) do you see in the data?

*Conclusions –
1. Was your hypothesis supported by the data?
Cite specific data that does or does not support it.

If I increase the number of coils then the electromagnet will pick more paper clips.
If we put 20 coils around the magnet the mean was 4.6 then if we put 40 coils around
the nail the mean will be 7.3 and if we put 60 coils around the nail then the mean will be 10.3.

2. Why do you think the electromagnet does not pick up the same number of paperclips for each trial?

Because the force of the magnet become greater and the pull of the magnet became stronger.

3. Explain how the iron nail becomes magnetic AND what causes the strength to change.
The strength of the nail changed because the more coils you put around the nail the more magnetic
force form the magnet you have.

4. Make a conclusion statement summarizing what you have learned about the effect of number of coils on
the strength of an electromagnet. Be sure to address the relationship between electricity (coils of wire)
and magnetism in your statement.
The relationship of magnets and electricity are associated with many objects but the main one
is the electromagnet. The electromagnet have coils of wires wrapped around a nail and the
ends of the wire are attached to the positive and negative side of the battery. This gives it its
magnetic field to attract and repeal.