Name:__________________________________________ Partner(s):______________________________

Electromagnet Activity

Background: Magnetism and Electricity are closely related. This activity will show you just how close they are.

Materials Needed:
→ 1 battery
→ 2 ft. wire
→ 1 iron nail
→ about 15 paperclips
→ battery holder (optional)
Procedure:
1. Wrap (coil) the wire tightly around the whole length of the nail.
Wrap all of the wire but leave about 6 inches on each end.

2. Try to pick up the paper clips by touching them with the nail. What happens?
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3. Hook up the battery so that the electricity is running through the wire.

4. Try again to pick up the paper clips. What happens? Why?

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5. Now disconnect the battery and try the paper clips again. Does the same thing happen as
in step 2? What has happened to the nail?
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Results
6. Draw and label a diagram of your electromagnet.

Results continued….
Now let's determine if the number of coils, times the wire wraps around the nail, affects the
magnetism of the nail. Fill in the chart below with the data you observe and collect.

Number of coils Number of paperclips picked up

10

12

14

16

18

20

7. Does the number of times you coil the wire (wrap the wire) affect the strength of the
magnet?
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Conclusion
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