Electromagnets Study Sheet
We have been investigating Electromagnets and how they work.
In order to make an electromagnet you require some materials.
1. Metal core made from a magnetic metal.
(iron/nickel/cobalt)
2. Insulated copper wire. (remember wire not insulated will
only make a short circuit)
3. A power supply in the circuit. (battery/ies)
Wind the insulated wire around the metal core. Attach each end
of the wire to the power supply (battery), one to the negative
terminal and the other to the positive terminal. The electrons
flowing through the wire create a magnetic field. Since the wire is
wrapped around the core it will align the magnetic field making the
magnetic force strongest at the two ends of the electromagnet.
*remember the magnetic field always flows out of the north pole
of the metal core and into the south pole.
How can we make an electromagnet stronger?
1. The more coils of insulated wire around the metal core the
stronger the electromagnet will become.
2. The more batteries you add to the circuit in series the
stronger the electromagnet will become.
Pictures of Electromagnets
Magnetic Fields