Make an Electromagnet

Magnetic fields are produced when all the electrons in a metal object are spinning in the same direction, either as a natural phenomenon, in an artificially created magnet, or when they are induced to do so by an electromagnetic field. This article will explain the steps required to produce an electromagnetic field around a steel rod, creating an electromagnet, using simple things which you can find around your home or purchase at the hardware store.

Steps

Make a Simple Electromagnet

  1. Get magnet supplies. To make an electromagnet, an electric current is run through a piece of metal, which creates a magnetic field. To make a simple electromagnet, then, you'll need a source of electricity, a conductor, and metal. Look around the house or check out the hardware store to get the following supplies:
    • A large iron nail
    • {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of thin coated copper wire
    • A D-cell battery
    • Small magnetic objects, like paperclips or pins
    • Wire strippers
    • Masking tape
    • Small bowl made of plastic or wood
  2. Strip insulation from the ends of the wire. In order for the wire to effectively conduct electricity, its ends must be stripped of their protective insulation. The stripped ends will be wrapped around the two ends of the battery. Use the wire strippers to remove a few centimeters of insulation from either end of the copper wire.
  3. Set up your supplies in a small bowl made of plastic or wood. It's a good idea to contain the energy you're working with in a bowl that won't conduct electricity.
  4. Wrap the nail. Grasp the wire about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from the end. Position it at the head of the nail and wrap it around the nail. Make a second wrap adjacent to the first one; it should touch the first wrap, but not overlap it. Continue wrapping the nail until you've covered it all the way to the tip.
    • It's essential to wrap the nail with the wire always running in the same direction, so that the electricity can flow in one direction. If you wrap the wire in different directions, the electricity will flow in different directions, and you won't create a magnetic field.
  5. Connect the wire ends to the battery. Wrap the exposed end of one side of the wire around the metal part of the battery on the positive side. Wrap the other exposed end to the negative side of the battery. Place a small piece of masking tape over the wrapped wire on both sides to keep it in place.
    • The side of the battery you attach the wire to will determine the polarity of the magnetic field you are creating. Switching the wires will also switch the poles. Either way, the nail will become magnetized.
    • When you attach the second wire end, the battery will begin conducting electricity through the wire coil immediately. The nail will grow hot, so be careful not to burn yourself.
  6. Test the magnet. Once the wires are attached to the battery and the electricity starts flowing, the nail will become magnetized. Test it by placing it against a paperclip or another small piece of metal. If the nail picks up the metal object, the magnet is working.
    • When you're finished using the magnet, detach the wire ends from the battery.

Add a Switch

  1. Cut two pieces of wire. Instead of using just one piece of wire, you'll need two pieces: one should be about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long, the other about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. Strip all four wire ends back about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
  2. Set up your supplies in a small bowl made of plastic or wood. It's a good idea to contain the energy you're working with in a bowl that won't conduct electricity.
  3. Wrap the nail with the longer piece of wire. Starting about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from the end of the wire, wrap the nail from the head to the end with tight coils that touch, but do not overlap. Continue wrapping until the entire nail is covered.
  4. Attach wire to the battery. Attach one end of the wire wrapped around the nail to the positive end of the battery. Attach one end of the smaller piece of wire around the other side of the battery.
  5. Attach the mechanical switch.[1] You can use a regular mechanical switch or a knife switch to make this electromagnet, both available for purchase at hardware stores. If you don't want to buy a switch, make your own by following these instructions:
    • Get a small block of wood, two thumbtacks, and a paperclip.
    • Tack the end of the copper wire wrapped around the nail to the block of wood by wrapping it around the metal part of a thumbtack and pushing it into the wood.
    • Wrap the end of the short wire leading from the battery around the other tack. Use the tack to fasten the paperclip to the wood about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from the first tack.
  6. Use the switch. To make the electric current flow, turn the switch on. If you're using a homemade switch, slide the paperclip toward the first tack until it touches the tack. This will complete the circuit and cause the current to flow. To switch off the current, swivel the paperclip away from the first tack.

Increase the Magnet's Power

  1. Use a power pack instead of a single battery. Power packs last longer and create a stronger electric current than a single battery. They're available at hardware stores and battery shops.[2]
  2. Use a larger piece of metal. Instead of using a nail, try using a longer metal rod. Be sure to use it with a power back to create a stronger magnet.
  3. Make more wraps around the metal. The more coils you create, the stronger the electric current. Adding a new coil is like adding another magnet. Get more wire and make as many wraps as you can to create a very powerful magnet.[2]



Tips

  • Remember, more wire means more power.
  • If the magnet does not work, see if there are any breaks in your circuit, the only way this project works is that there has to be some sort of current running through the objects.

Warnings

  • This requires low voltage electricity. Never use high voltage electricity with a large amount of current, as it can electrocute you.
  • Always do the loops. Without loops you have no resistance, causing the battery to heat up too much. Be extremely cautious!
  • Don't ever try to insert the wire into a plug. This will conduct the electricity, making it at a high voltage and giving it a large current, which means a shock for anything that touches it.
  • Don't leave the wires connected the the battery too long because you will use up all of the energy in the battery.

Things You'll Need

  • A lantern battery or a D cell flashlight battery
  • A screw or a nail
  • Copper wire
  • Wire Stripper
  • Vinyl electrical tape or masking tape
  • Mechanical switch

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.energizer.com/learning-center/science-center/Pages/make-electromagnet.aspx
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/CDA/11-14/physics/copch33pg3.html
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