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How to Attract Through Magnetism

Attracting an object with magnetism is easy: just place a permanent magnet close to the right object and it will be attracted to the magnet. Of course, not all objects will be attracted --- if you've ever tried to pick up an aluminum can or a penny with a magnet, you know that some materials just aren't attracted to magnetic fields. But many objects with iron, nickel, cobalt, and a variety of more exotic materials are attracted by a magnetic field. The most interesting way to control magnetic attraction is to make your own electromagnet.

Things You'll Need

One 16-penny (16d) nail
18-gauge insulated copper wire, 2 feet
D-cell battery
Battery holder

Instructions

- 1
  Wrap the wire around the 16d nail. Start about 4 inches from the end of the wire, and wrap the wire tightly around the shaft of the nail, making a tight coil of one layer all the way to the other end.
- 2
  Trim the wire so that both loose ends are approximately the same length. Strip 1/4 inch of insulation from the ends of the copper wire.
- 3
  Attach one end of the wire to one of the terminals of the battery holder.
- 4
  Bring one end of the wrapped nail close to an object of magnetic material. The object will not be attracted to the nail.
- 5
  Touch the other end of the wire to the other terminal of the battery holder. The steel nail now serves as a conduit for the magnetic field created by the current, strengthening and concentrating the field. The object will now be attracted to the nail.

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