Verified Solution Science Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects

A student creates an electromagnet by winding insulated copper wire around an iron nail. Which of the following actions would significantly increase the strength of this electromagnet?

5 views 2 helpful Updated Jun 30, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • AReplacing the iron nail with a plastic rod.
  • BIncreasing the number of turns of the copper wire.
  • CUsing a thinner copper wire with fewer turns.
  • DDecreasing the current flowing through the coil.
Explanation

The strength of an electromagnet depends on several factors: the number of turns in the coil, the current flowing through it, and the type of core material. Increasing the number of turns directly increases the magnetic field produced. Replacing the iron core with a non-magnetic material like plastic, using fewer turns, or decreasing the current would all weaken the electromagnet.

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