An electromagnet is a type of magnet that attracts metals with the help of electricity. Professor Hans Christian Oersted coined the term electromagnetism in 1820 and refers to the ability of a cable to carry electrical current to produce a magnetic field.
To create a simple electromagnet you will need:
- 4 inch iron nail.
- 12 gauge magnet copper wire.
- 9-V battery.
- Some iron filings
Wind the copper wire on the nail without overlapping and take out two ends of the wire connecting it to the negative and positive terminal of the battery respectively.
Approach the nail to the iron filing and observe how it is attracted. This is due a conductive wire through which a current flows generates a magnetic field.