Question

A student designs an electromagnet, as shown in the picture. The electromagnet is only able to pick up 1 paper clip. List 2 modifications he could make to his electromagnet in order to enable it to pick up more paper clips.

Answer 1

1. The student could increase the number of loops of wire around the iron core. Increasing the number of windings will increase the strength of the electromagnet also known as the magnetomotive force.

2. The student could use a bigger battery so that the voltage is increased. Thus, according to Ampere's Law, the magnetic field around the current-carrying wire will also increase as it is directly proportional to the current's strength.