Question on Electromagnatic Induction

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on troubleshooting a failed electromagnetic induction experiment involving a 9-volt battery, a nail, paper clips, copper wire, and a switch. The experiment did not generate an electromagnetic field to attract the paper clips due to the use of an aluminum nail instead of a ferromagnetic material like iron or steel. Additionally, the copper wire must be insulated where it wraps around the nail to prevent short circuits, and the insulation should be stripped at the battery and switch connections for proper electrical contact.

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Homework Statement


9 volt battery
1 Nail
Few paper clips
Cooper Wire
Switch

Homework Equations


Why my Electromagnetic Induction experiment failed ? It did not create electromagnetic field to attract surrounding paper clips. What are missing here ? How to do successful home-made electromagnetic Induction ? Please help.

The Attempt at a Solution


Made 75 rounds around the Nail to create Solenoid.
Wire connected to battery + -
Turned on the switch
 
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mike2011 said:

Homework Statement


9 volt battery
1 Nail
Few paper clips
Cooper Wire
Switch

Homework Equations


Why my Electromagnetic Induction experiment failed ? It did not create electromagnetic field to attract surrounding paper clips. What are missing here ? How to do successful home-made electromagnetic Induction ? Please help.


The Attempt at a Solution


Made 75 rounds around the Nail to create Solenoid.
Wire connected to battery + -
Turned on the switch
Was the wire insulated ?
 
Hello mike2011,

Welcome to Physics Forums! :smile:

mike2011 said:

Homework Statement


9 volt battery
1 Nail
Few paper clips
Cooper Wire
Switch

Homework Equations


Why my Electromagnetic Induction experiment failed ? It did not create electromagnetic field to attract surrounding paper clips. What are missing here ? How to do successful home-made electromagnetic Induction ? Please help.

The Attempt at a Solution


Made 75 rounds around the Nail to create Solenoid.
Wire connected to battery + -
Turned on the switch

If you are using your own nail (rather than one provided for you), make sure the nail is iron or steel based and not aluminum. Aluminum nails will not work for this experiment (you need a ferromagnetic material as the electromagnet core. Aluminum is not a ferromagnetic material).

[Edit: you can check this using a standing magnet, like a refrigerator magnet. If the nail is attracted to the magnet it should work. If it is not attracted to the magnet, it's probably an aluminum nail.]

The copper wire needs to be insulated for the part that wraps around the nail. If the wire is not insulated it will just create a short circuit and nothing will happen, except it might get very hot.

The insulation needs to be stripped off the wire at the parts that connect to the battery-terminals and switch terminals. Electrical contact needs to be made at these parts of the wire.
 

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