How do you make a strong electromagnet?

Answer 1

Electromagnets are made by wrapping wire around a conductive rod, so that an electromagnetic field is created when current is passed through the wire.

CAUTION : Do not use 110-120 volt AC power in any science experiments. This represents a dangerous electrical shock hazard. Use low-voltage DC wherever possible.

To make a simple electromagnet ,you can wrap 50 or 100 turns of thin insulated copper wire along the length of an iron nail, forming a neat coil of wire tight along and around the nail. (Leave about 9 inches of wire free at each end of the coil to attach to the power source.)

1. Wrap the insulated wire around the nail, moving down the nail as you go.

2. Fix the coil of wire in place with some sticky tape.

3. Clean off the insulation at the ends of the extra wire, for about 1 inch, exposing the shiny metal inside.

4. Bend the ends into loops and connect to a LOW VOLTAGE direct-current power supply, such as a model train transformer or a D-cell battery pack.

When you hold each end of the coil to the terminals of the power supply, it will send an electric current into the coil around the nail. The current will make the nail magnetic. You should then be able to pick up other nails with your electromagnet. (Doing this for just a few minutes will use up all the electric charge stored inside a battery and it will go dead.)

Experiment by using more or less turns of wire to make the coil around the nail bigger or smaller. The more coils you wrap around the nail the stronger the magnet will get. The larger the voltage of the power source you use, the stronger your electromagnet will get. But don't use more than 15 volts -- it is dangerous because the wire could catch fire or you could receive an electric shock.

Another answer

Making an electromagnet is really quite simple. First you get some wire (22-18 gauge should do just fine). The wire must be insulated. Next, take an iron nail and coil all of the wire around the nail except a small bit on the ends. Strip off the insulation to connect to your power supply. Hook the ends up to some batteries, and presto -- you have a fancy little electromagnet.

Another answer

To make an electromagnet, take an iron rod (fairly small). You'll also need some wire, stripped at the ends. You should then wrap the wire into a coil around the iron rod. The more coils, the stronger the magnet. The two wires should be connected to your power source (a proper scientific powerpack- so you don't electrocute yourself). Turn on the power, then see if it will attract paperclips and other small iron and steel objects.

Answer 2

To quote Wikipedia: "In order to build a strong electromagnet, a short magnetic circuit with large area is preferred". Oh, and a ferromagnetic core, like say, iron, is always a good idea. See the link for more details.