How to Make Electromagnets

Powered by electromagnet

Electromagnets create magnetic fields by electricity that flows through them. Electromagnets are used in products like particle accelerators, tape recorders, and loudspeakers. Anyone can create electromagnets using resources that are easily obtained. The creation of the electromagnet is great for anyone who wants to understand magnetism.

Things You'll Need

• Spool of wire
• Scissors
• Paper clips
• D cell battery
• Nail
• Flat table

Instructions

Assembling the Electromagnet

1. Cut 15 centimeters of wire from the spool using the scissors.

2. Set the D cell battery on the table.

3. Wrap one end of the coil around the part of the battery that slightly sticks out like a bump on the end of the battery.

4. Wrap the other end of the wire around the nail.

5. Hold the nail over the paper clips while the wire is still attached.

6. Watch the paper clips stick to the nail.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a great experiment for science classrooms

• Make sure both ends of the wire are tightly wrapped around the object they are supposed to be wrapped around

• If the nail does not pick up the paper clip, hold it closer