Question

Joseph Henry's wife tearfully sacrificed part of her wedding gown for silk to cover the wires of Joseph's electromagnets. What was the purpose of the silk covering?

A) To increase electrical resistance
B) To insulate the wires
C) To enhance magnetic field strength
D) To improve conductivity

Answer 1

The purpose of the silk covering on Joseph Henry's electromagnets was to insulate the wires.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of the silk covering on Joseph Henry's electromagnets was to insulate the wires.

In an electromagnet, an electric current passes through a wire, which creates a magnetic field. However, the wire can also produce heat and cause the electrical current to leak or short circuit if it comes into contact with other conductive materials. To prevent these issues, the wires of an electromagnet are often covered with an insulating material such as silk.

Silk is a good insulator because it is made of natural fibers that have high electrical resistance. This means that it does not conduct electricity well and can prevent the electrical current from escaping or interfering with the functioning of the electromagnet.