How Can I Build an Electromagnet with a D Battery, Nails, and Wire?

[Nonok]

Hi, I have been given a lab in physics. I need to create a electromagnet. The power source is a D battery, and I am given 8 nails and 3 meters of wire. I was thinking the best way to construct it would be to cut the heads off the nails and make the most solid core I can. I do not have to use all the nails, or all the wire. Any ideas?

 

[Cliff_J]

You can probably just put the nails together head to point alternating and make them work that way. Wrap the ends with some tape to hold them together and now the heads help the wrapping process. Then just wrap as neat as possible with as much wire as is practical. Should be easy enough and the heads also give a semi-flat surface to put against objects you want to pick up.