Investigating the factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet.
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Introduction
Electromagnet Investigation
Introduction
I will be investigating the factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet.
An electromagnet produces a magnetic field around the wire, it is made by passing current through a coil of wire. The strength of the field is affected by:
- Number of coils
- Increased current
- Softer Iron core
I will see if the electromagnet is more powerful when the current is increased.
I will keep all of the factors of the investigation the same, to make it a fair test, this includes the same amount of coils and supply voltage.
Apparatus
The apparatus that I will require are:
A 2v Power Supply
- An Ammeter
- A Variable resistor
- An Iron Bar
- Wires
- Crocodile clips
- 100 Paper clips
Method
To carry out the investigation, I will first collect all apparatus and set up the circuit (as shown below).
Middle

After carrying out the practical experiment, I recorded the results and worked out an average, both of which are displayed in the following tables:
AMPS | NUMBER OF PAPER CLIPS | ||
1 |
Conclusion
These results also fully support my prediction because there is a stronger magnetic field as the current increases.
Conclusion
I think my method of carrying out the experiment, was a good and reliable one because when repeating the experiment there was only a 3 paper clip difference.
As there was only 3 a paper clip difference, I think the experiment was carried out accurately. To improve the reliability of the results I could have repeated the tests again, but I am certain there will always be a maximum of 3 paper clips difference.
I think my results are good enough to support a firm conclusion that when the current is increased, so is the strength of the magnetic field.
To improve my investigation I could change the supply voltage, change the number of coils around the Iron bar and even increase the amperage to make the investigation longer.
This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level Electrical & Thermal Physics section.
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