Electrical Currents and Eletromagnets
The type of current that was produced while making the simple circuits in lasts weeks article, were direct currents.
There are two types of currents. The direct current is achieved when the electrons move in the same direction along the wires of the circuit. The prime example of this, is the simple circuit from "An Introduction to Electricity".
The other type of current is called alternating current. This is the type of current that is produced by a power company, and is delivered to your home, to operate your household's electrical needs. Alternating current is caused by the electrons moving back and forth along the wires of the circuit, as opposed to them going in the same direction. To produce this current, power companies use generators with coiled wires. The coils turn between two magnets and various amounts of current are achieved. The amount of current is regulated by the use of transformers, which we will discuss later.
Making an Electromagnet
You will need:
- Thumb Tacks
- Coated Wire
- An Iron Nail
- A Paper Clip
- Knife
- A C, D or 9 Volt Battery
- Tape
- Adult supervision
Directions:
- Wrap the wire, along the nail, in a coiled fashion, 50 - 60 times.
- Use the tape to secure the ends of the coils, so they don't unravel.
- Strip about two inches of the coating, from the wire, and attach each end to the ends of the battery.
- Place the wire wrapped nail over the paper clip and tacks.
- The paper clip, and tacks, will jump onto the nail.
- See what else you can pick up with the electromagnet
- Be sure to unhook one end of the battery when you are finished experimenting with the magnet.
Electromagnets produce magnetism because the electrons that flow along the wires (the wires around the nail), carry a magnet field. The magnetic field is present all along the wire. The stronger the current, the stronger the magnet will be. Try using different batteries to regulate the power of your magnet.
Try holding a compass near the electromagnet.
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