Science research

Objective

You will be making an electromagnet using coils of wire. The aim of such science fair experiments is to test how strong electromagnets can be. You will also determine how the magnetic field strength is affected by the number of times the wire is wrapped around while making the magnet.

Introduction

A magnetic field is produced when a current flows through a wire. The same can be proved in science fair experiments by using a magnetic compass. Since a single wire has a comparatively weak magnetic field, the wire can be coiled to observe that the magnetic field strength increases with each added coil.

You will find out how the magnetic field strength varies when the coil turns are increased. You will also find out how the coil should be oriented (parallel or perpendicular) in order to be effective.

Material

A 6V battery, alligator clips, magnetic wire, masking tape, paper clips (one box) or 200 steel washers (1 cm diameter) and three core material pieces of equal length such as iron nails or iron bolts or pieces of iron pipe.

Preparation

Three different electromagnets are to be made using core material of equal lengths. Now wrap the magnetic wire neatly around each piece of core material, but let the number of turnings be different for each piece. For example, one piece will be wrapped with 100 turns, the second with 200 turns and the third with 500 turns. Keep the coiled wire in place at both ends by attaching tape and leave at least 5 to 6 cm of extra wire for being connected to the battery. Using your utility knife, carefully remove the insulation of the free ends of the magnetic wire and expose 1 cm of copper wire.

The free ends are to be connected to alligator clips which are always used in science fair experiments. The alligator clips are to be attached to the terminals of the battery. Use a shallow tray to hold the paper clips (washers).

Procedure

Begin with the core material with 100 turns of coil.
Connect the alligator clips to the battery and hold the coil of the electromagnet parallel to the tray, touching the paperclips (washers) with the coil to pick them up. Move the coil out of the container and disconnect the battery. Now count how many paperclips were attached to the coil and write down the number in a table. Repeat the same procedure 4 times more and calculate the average of all 5 readings and write it down in the table. Now keep the coil of the electromagnet perpendicular, touching the paperclips (washers) with the coil. Move the coil out of the container and disconnect the battery. Now count how many paperclips were attached to the coil and write down the number in the table. Repeat the same procedure 4 times more and calculate the average of the 5 readings and write it down in the table.Next, take the coil with 200 turns and repeat steps 1 and 2. Then proceed with the coil with 500 turns and repeat steps 1 and 2.

Make sure you record your findings without fail. Your table will consist of a whole bunch of numbers. Graphs are very important during science fair experiments. So plot a graph showing the results for each orientation. The X-axis should reflect the number of coils and the Y-axis should reflect how many paperclips (washers) were attached to the electromagnet.

When you look at the graph you may be amazed that all your efforts have been displayed by curved lines, which speak better than numbers.

By: Aurora L.

Tags: 6v Battery, Alligator Clips, Copper Wire, Core Material, Electromagnets, Iron Nails, Iron Pipe, Magnetic Compass, Magnetic Field Strength, Magnetic Wire, Making An Electromagnet, Masking Tape, Project 11, Science Fair Experiments, Science Fair Project, Science Fair Project Ideas, Shallow Tray, Strength Increases, Turnings, Utility Knife