Make an Electromagnet

If you've ever wanted a magnet that you could control the magnetism of, this project is for you. By using electric currents, you can create your own magnetic field with the press of a button.

Materials:

1. Wires
2. Metal rod (bolts and nails will work too)
3. Electrical Tape
4. Batteries

If you have it, aluminium tape is also helpful

Tools:

1. Wire strippers or other clippers
2. Pliers

Tape the wire about an inch from the end to one end of the metal rod. This will ensure that the end of the wire can attach to the battery later in the process.

Tightly wind the wire around the metal rod. If you need, you can attach multiple wires together by taping the ends together with electrical tape.

Continue winding the wires around the rod until the amount of wire left to wind is an inch more than the distance between the last wind and where the first wire was connected to the metal rod. If you reach the end, you can double back and start winding back toward where you started winding the wires. If you double back, it is helpful to tape the wire down at the end of the rod. Once you achieve the distance specified, tape the wire into place at the last wind.

Tape the other end of the wire to the same end of the metal rod as the first end. Again, make sure that there is about an inch between the end of the wire and where you tape it to the rod.

If you are using multiple batteries, tape the batteries together and connect the ends of the batteries with a wire. If you have aluminium tape, this works even better. If not, though, it still works to connect the two similar ends with a wire and tape the wire down with electrical tape. Make sure to leave ware poking out of the tape.

Tape the batteries to the same end of the rod that the wires are on. Connect one end of the wire to one side of the batteries with electrical tape. Make sure that the wires are securely connected. Connect the other side to a paper clip in a similar manner, making sure that some of the paper clip is exposed.

Connect the paper clip to the side of the battery that isn't already connected to a wire. By doing this, you are creating a magnetic field and can pick up metal objects. If you want to experiment, try wrapping the wire more, using a different rod, or using different batteries. Have fun with your electromagnet!