Verified Solution Science Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects

An electromagnet is constructed by winding 50 turns of insulated copper wire around an iron nail and connecting it to a 3V battery. To make this electromagnet stronger, which of the following changes would be most effective?

5 views 2 helpful Updated Jun 30, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • AUsing a thinner copper wire with 50 turns and the same 3V battery.
  • BIncreasing the number of turns of wire to 100 around the same nail, using the same 3V battery.
  • CReplacing the 3V battery with a 1.5V battery while keeping 50 turns.
  • DReplacing the iron nail with a plastic rod and keeping 50 turns and the 3V battery.
Explanation

The strength of an electromagnet directly increases with the number of turns in its coil and the current flowing through it. Replacing the iron nail with a plastic rod (D) would weaken it, and a lower voltage battery (C) would decrease the current, thus weakening it. Using a thinner wire (A) would increase resistance, possibly reducing current and thus strength.

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