How to Magnetize a Nail

Making a magnetized nail at home or in the classroom is an easy way to demonstrate the properties of magnetics. The magnetic strength of the nail can be increased, or it can be removed altogether. Additionally, the magnetized nail can be used in other projects where small magnets are needed.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 iron or steel nail
• Bar-shaped permanent magnet
• 10 paper clips

1. Check if the nail has been accidentally magnetized by using it to pick up a paper clip. If it's already magnetized, hit it on a hard surface or drop it on the ground. This will remove any residual magnetization.

2. To weakly magnetize the nail for a short time, hold the bar magnet near the end of the nail. This should create a strong enough magnet to move or pick up a single paper clip.

3. To make a stronger magnet, stroke the nail with one pole of the bar magnet. Stroke the nail from one end to the other.

4. Repeat Step 3 at least 20 times to fully magnetize the nail. To increase the magnetic strength of the nail, stroke it more times with the bar magnet.

5. Test how strong the magnet is by using the nail to pick up paper clips. The stronger the magnet is, the more paper clips it will be able to pick up.

6. The nail can be de-magnetized by hitting or dropping it as in Step 1. The magnetization will also wear off over time.

Tips & Warnings

• When stroking the nail with the bar magnet, hold the nail far apart from the magnet between strokes. This will make each stroke more efficient at magnetizing the nail.

Resources

• Projects with magnets