ElectromagnetsElectromagnetsGrade 8

Electromagnetism

Aim: Using an iron nail and a copper wire, investigate the properties of the magnetic field.

Procedure:

Keeping the current the same, investigate how many paper clips the iron nail will support as the number of coils is varied.

Then, keeping the number of coils of wire the same, investigate how many paper clips the iron nail will support as the current is varied.

Record your results in tables.

Electromagnets AnimationElectromagnets Animation

Electromagnetism : Electromagnets

Number of coilsNumber of paper

clips attracted

0

20

40

60

80

Electromagnetism : Electromagnets

Current [A]Number of paper

clips attracted

0

Electromagnetism : Electromagnets

How the number of coils affects the strength of an electromagnet

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Number of coils

Nu

mb

er o

f cl

ips

attr

acte

d

Electromagnetism : Electromagnets

How the current affects the strength of an electromagnet

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 1 2 3 4 5

Current [A]

Nu

mb

er

of cl

ips

attra

cte

d

Electromagnetism : Electromagnets

We use large electromagnets in scrap yards to pick up scrap metal:

What metals would the electromagnet attract?

What advantages does an electromagnet have over a permanent magnet?

Electromagnets

Door bells use electromagnets: