Ellie made an electromagnet with wire, a nail, and a 2.5-volt battery. The electromagnet attracted a paper clip from 2 inches away.
What action will make the electromagnet weaker?
There are a few actions that can make the electromagnet weaker:
1. Decreasing the number of turns in the wire coil: The strength of an electromagnet is directly proportional to the number of turns in the wire coil. By reducing the number of turns, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet will be weaker.
2. Increasing the resistance of the wire: Higher resistance in the wire leads to less current flowing through it. Since the strength of an electromagnet is directly proportional to the current passing through the wire, increasing the resistance will result in a weaker electromagnet.
3. Using a lower voltage battery: The strength of an electromagnet is directly proportional to the voltage applied to it. By using a lower voltage battery (e.g., replacing the 2.5-volt battery with a 1.5-volt battery), the electromagnet will be weaker.
4. Using a shorter or thinner nail: The length and thickness of the nail affect the strength of the electromagnet. A shorter or thinner nail will have less surface area for the magnetic field to act upon, resulting in a weaker electromagnet.
5. Increasing the distance between the paper clip and the electromagnet: As the distance increases, the strength of the magnetic field diminishes. Hence, moving the paper clip farther away will weaken the attraction of the electromagnet.