Childrens Science Experiments

Hold one end of the copper wire and come in around 2 inches from the end.
Start wrapping the wire tightly around the nail (leaving around ½ inch at the starting end of the nail) so that you create a coil around the nail as many times as you can (leaving around ½ inch at the end of the nail).
Position the Rubber band to wrap around the battery so that the negative and positive ends of the battery are covered by the rubber band. If you choose to use blu tack this step will be covered later.
Position one end of the copper wire under the rubber band at the positive (+) end or the battery or place blu tack on top of the wire to hold it in position.
Position the other end of the copper wire under the rubber band at the negative (-) end of the battery or place the blu tack on top of the wire to hold it in position.
Hold the positive (+) end of the battery (up position) and the negative (-) end of the battery (down position) between your thumb and pointer finger to hold the wires in place.
Hold the coiled nail with your other hand and try to pick up the paper clips.

What happens?

If you disconnect one end of the wire from the battery what happens?

Disconnect the battery at both ends when you have finished allowing it to cool.

Try not to leave your battery connected for long periods as it will drain all the energy from it and the components can get very hot and may burn you.

This electric current creates a magnetic field that magnetizes the nail. When the current flows through the wire it produces a magnetic field.

Notes:

A battery has negative (-) end and a positive (+) end.

Kids Science Experiments - Electromagnet