What Affects the Strength of an Electromagnet? Essay Example

What Affects the Strength of an Electromagnet?
Aim What is the effect of increasing the current and increasing the number of coils when picking up paper clips?
Definition First of all, an electromagnet has to be defined. An electromagnet can also be called a Solenoid, Which consists of a core of iron and then wire is wrapped round it.
Prediction
I predict that as the current carried in the wire gets stronger, so will the magnetic field surrounding the electromagnet. Therefore, I think that the amount of paper clips picked up will increase as the voltage gets higher until the electromagnet can't pick up any more paper clips. I also predict that the more coils wrapped round the wire creates a bigger magnetic field allowing more paper clips to be picked up.

Variables
Thickness Coils
Length of wire
Core Material
If the paper clips are already slightly magnetized from previous experiments
Weight of the Paperclips
Number of Paperclips available

Equipment Mat - (To protect the surface of the bench)
Power Pack - (To control the voltage of the current)
*Battery Pack – (To control the voltage of the current)
Crocodile Clips - (To take the electricity to the Electromagnet)
Paper Clips – (To test the conductivity of the Electromagnet)
Electromagnet Iron Nail - (to act as a core) Wire - (wrapped around the core)
Test the Voltage Method