How to Build a Strong Electric Magnet
An electromagnet requires an electrical current to work. When an electromagnet is disconnected from its power source, it is no longer magnetic. The huge cranes that pick up metal in junkyards work by connecting the circuit to lift the material, then disconnecting the circuit to drop it again. When you make your own electromagnet, keep in mind that the thicker the core is, the stronger the magnet will be. Neatly wrapped wire makes for a stronger pull, and the strength of the finished product will be directly proportional to the number of times the wire is coiled around the core. All these things are also true for the industrial version of an electromagnet.
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Things You'll Need
- Thick steel bolt, 3-4 inches long
- 3 to 4 feet of insulated wire, 14 to 18 gauge
- D-cell or 6-volt battery
- Wire stripper or scissors
- Tape
Instructions
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A Strong Electromagnet
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Strip the ends of the wire bare, about three or four inches at each end. This can be done with a wire-stripping tool or by an adult with a pair of scissors. Be careful not to cut through the wire, only the insulation.
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Connect one end of the wire to one terminal of the battery. A 6-volt battery has wire nuts for connecting it. A D-cell battery can be connected with tape.
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Wrap the wire neatly around the coil as many times as possible. Leave space between the battery and the coil at both ends so you can move your magnet around.
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Connect the loose end of the wire to the battery in the same manner as the first end. Once connected, your magnet will be functional.
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Optional: Experiment with the number of coil wraps and different sizes of core to see what works best.
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Tips & Warnings
Electrical experiments should never be performed by unsupervised children. Also keep in mind that although very little voltage is involved in this setup, the batteries and wires can sometimes grow warm to the touch.
