Battery Build Electromagnet

I am building lab kits for my students. This lab is about Earths Magnetism and I realized that this simple electromagnet would be an easy project for any kid to build. Do not mind Bob (skeleton) and Sam(bust) I have been missing my students big time, so these guys and Grogu keep me company.

Supplies

4ft. 22 guage magnet wire. this is a copper wire with a thin coating on it. Other copper wire will work too.

1 D battery

1 3" Steel (uncoated) nail

Wire clippers

sand paper

tape. (note, my nifty mini tape despenser school hack... I made that for this lab. https://www.instructables.com/VR-School-Hack-Mini-...

Step 1: Cute and Prep Your Wire

*Cut 4 ft of copper wire.

Sand the ends of the wire because they are coated. You want to have a good contact with the battery.

Step 2: Wrapping

*Leave a 4"-6" tail then begin wrapping at the head of the nail.

*You will want at least 60 wraps but more is better.

*When you have a small tail on the end again 4"-6" tape one end to the flat side of the battery.

Step 3: PLAY

Use your finger to hold the other other tail to the other end of the battery. It is not a good idea to leave taped.

Now try it out on a pile of paper clips, and I highly recommend checking it out with a Compass...

What do you think is happening?

Why are you able to pick up paperclips with a nail?

Why does the compass react?

Does the compass reach if you put different parts of the nail near it?

There are so many questions you can ask yourself, and explore with this simple tool.