Count the number of paper clips and record it on a table. Transfer the paper clips attached to the magnet to the other plate. Then take a magnet and hold it directly over the paper clips. Put two paper plates next to each other, and cover one of the plates with paper clips. Which one blocks the magnet’s power the most? Are Two Heads Better Than One?ĭo you think that two magnets will have more power than one magnet? How much more? Twice the power? Test your hypothesis with this magnet science project. Does the paper clip have to be closer in order for the magnet to attract it? Repeat the experience with various materials, such as glass, cardboard, or plastic. Then repeat the experience, putting a piece of tin foil in front of the magnet.

Keep on moving the paper clip until the magnet attracts it, and record the measurement that the paper clip was at before it was attracted to the magnet. Does the magnet attract the paper clip? If not, move the paper clip half an inch closer and try again. Then put a paper clip at the 6 inch mark of the ruler. Put the magnet on a table, and lay a ruler next to it so that the magnet lines up with the beginning edge of the ruler. Electromagnets are found inside the telephone, washing machine, and many others.For this magnet science project, you’ll need a strong magnet. The strength of an electromagnet is influenced by the number of turns it has on its coil, the material used and the amount of electricity in the wire. The nail attracts magnetic objects like the iron filings. Electricity flowing in a conductor like the nail produces a magnetic field which results to magnetism. The nail in this experiment acted like a magnet. After detaching one of the wires from the dry cell, the iron filings no longer showed any reaction to the nail. When you brought the nail near the iron filings, they reacted to the nail as shown by their movements. The circuit was closed when you attached the ends of the wires to the poles of the dry cell. When you attached the ends of the wires to the poles of the dry cell, was the circuit close or open? What happened when you brought the nail near some iron filings? What happened to the iron filings when you detached one wire from one terminal of the dry cell? What property is exhibited by the nail when electricity flows along its wire? Wound the wire tightly and securely around the nail for positive results. Nails and ion filings are sharp so do not play with them. Detach one wire from one terminal of the dry cell.īe careful in removing the insulation of the copper wire to make sure you don’t damage it. Predict what would happen if the wire was detached from the dry cell. Trace the path of electricity in this device.

Attach the ends of the poles to the dry cell.

Get a half meter long copper wire and remove the insulation at both ends.

1iron nail about four centimeters in length.

It is made up of an iron core, wire, and source of electrical energy. Its magnetism can be turned on and off at will. An electromagnet operates only when there is a flow of electricity in the coil of the wire. He referred to this phenomenon as electromagnetism.

Professor Oersted is a physics professor who discovered that a wire carrying electric current generated a magnetic field. To find out how electromagnetism works by constructing an electromagnet and be able to answer the question “How does electromagnetism work?”ĭo you ever wonder how the telephone, electric bell, and electric motors that run most of our appliances at home work? Electricity can be transformed into energy of motion or mechanical energy and it is all because of the discovery made by Professor Hans Christian Oersted in 1820.

Magnet science fair projects