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Can you finish magnetic marvels experiment in about 30 min?

Magnetic Marvels Experiment

You will this activity illustrates how electric current creates a magnetic field, turning a simple nail into a magnet.

Duration30 min
Age GroupAges 15–16
DifficultyBeginner
SubjectScience
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Concept

What this lesson teaches

This activity illustrates how electric current creates a magnetic field, turning a simple nail into a magnet. Understanding electromagnetism opens pathways to inventions that rely on electricity and magnetism, crucial in modern technology.

Materials

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    Steps

    How the activity runs

      Why It Works

      The learning connection

      By directly connecting the flow of electricity to the creation of a magnetic field, children experience embodied cognition. This hands-on experiment supports cognitive load theory, simplifying complex concepts by visualizing them through tangible results.

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      1. Gather a 10 cm iron nail, insulated copper wire, and a D-cell battery. 2. Leave a 15 cm wire tail on one end and wrap the copper wire tightly around the nail, making 20 turns. 3. Strip the ends of the wire to expose metal and connect one end to the battery's positive terminal. 4. Touch the other end to the negative terminal briefly to create a circuit. 5. Bring small metal objects near the nail; note how many stick! 6. Disconnect the wire and discuss what happened to the magnetism.

      Science in Action30 minAges 15–16Grade 10Sign in to save this activity
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