Method:
(1) Build an electromagnet: wrap the wire around the nail (20 times) to form a tightly wound coil making sure the wire does not overlap itself. Leave at least 15 cm of wire free on each end to hook up to the 6V battery.
(2) Place the paper clips in a pile on a desktop. Without hooking up the wires, take the nail and dip it into the clips. What happened when the nail was lifted out? Record your observations.
(3) Touch the ends of the wires to the two terminals on the 6V battery (you may see a spark - it's harmless). Take the nail and dip it into the clips.
[SAFETY NOTE: DO NOT TOUCH THE WIRES TO THE BATTERY FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS BECAUSE YOU COULD BURN YOUR FINGERS]
What happened when the nail was lifted out? Record your observations.
(4) Repeat steps 1-3 substituting a wooden pencil, piece of chalk, plastic pen and brass screw for the nail. Record all observations. |
