On a table there is a collection of materials including an iron nail, a wooden pencil, a glass rod, a piece of copper wire, a piece of string, a 3.5-volt battery, and a 6-volt battery. Which list of materials would allow you to make the strongest electromagnet?

Question

On a table there is a collection of materials including an iron nail, a wooden pencil, a glass rod, a piece of copper wire, a piece of string, a 3.5-volt battery, and a 6-volt battery. Which list of materials would allow you to make the strongest electromagnet?

iron nail, copper wire, 6-volt battery
iron nail, copper wire, 6-volt battery

Glass rod, copper wire, 6-volt battery
Glass rod, copper wire, 6-volt battery

iron nail, copper wire, 3.5-volt battery
iron nail, copper wire, 3.5-volt battery

wooden pencil, string, 3.5-volt battery

Answer 1

The correct answer is iron nail, copper wire, and 6-volt battery. Iron is highly magnetic, so the iron nail will provide a strong core for the electromagnet. Copper wire is a good conductor of electricity, allowing the current from the battery to flow easily. Lastly, a higher voltage battery (6-volt) will provide a stronger current, resulting in a stronger electromagnet.