DoestheTypeofWireCoiled

AroundtheIronCoreofan
ElectromagnetAffectthe
ElectromagnetsStrength?

By: Matthew Mendoza

RESEARCH:
The purpose of this project is to find out if the type of wire coiled around the iron core of
an electromagnet will affect its strength. This is important because electromagnets are used as
components of electrical devices, such as motors, generators, loudspeakers, and MRI machines.
Electromagnets are also used for picking up and moving scrap metal like iron and steel. To help
you understand electromagnets and their importance, this research paper will discuss
electromagnets, magnetic fields, magnet wires, copper wires, nitinol wires, and stainless steel
wires.
First and foremost, an electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is
produced by an electric current. The magnetic field disappears when the current is turned off.
Electromagnets usually are made of an insulated wire, an iron core, and and an electric current.
The main advantage of electromagnets over permanent magnets is that the magnetic field can be
changed by controlling the amount of electric current in the coil. However, unlike a permanent
magnet, an electromagnet needs a continuous supply of current to maintain the magnetic field.
Next, a magnet wire is a copper or aluminum wire coated with a thin layer of insulation.
Magnet wire can also be referred to as enameled wire. It is used in inductors, motors, speakers,
and electromagnets. Magnet wire can also be used in the construction of transformers, hard disk
head actuators, and other applications that need tight coils of insulated wire. The wire itself is
most often fully annealed, electrolytically refined copper. Aluminum magnet wire is sometimes
used for large transformers and motors.
Therefore, copper has been used in electric wiring since the invention of the
electromagnet. Copper is the electrical conductor in many categories of electrical wiring. Copper
wire is used in power generation, power transmission, and power distribution. It is also used in
telecommunications, electronics circuitry, and countless types of electrical equipment. Roughly
half of all copper mined is used to manufacture electrical wire and cable conductors.
In addition, nickel titanium is an alloy of nickel and titanium. Nickel titanium wire can
also be referred to as nitinol wire. Nitinol wire shows two unique properties: shape memory
effect and superelasticity. Shape memory is the ability of nitinol to undergo deformation at one
temperature, then recover its original, undeformed shape upon heating above its "transformation
temperature". Superelasticity happens at a limited temperature range just above its
transformation temperature; in this case, no heating is necessary to cause the undeformed shape
to recover, and the material exhibits elasticity.
Of course, stainless steel is a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5% chromium by mass.
Stainless steel can also be referred to as inox steel or inox. Stainless steel is remarkable for its
corrosion resistance, and it is mostly used for food handling and cutlery among many other
applications. Stainless steel does not corrode, rust or stain with water as ordinary steel does.
However, it is not fully stain-proof in low-oxygen, high-salinity, or poor air-circulation
environments.
 In conclusion, the topics to understand electromagnets and my experiment were discussed
in this research paper. Electromagnets are powered by electric currents. The research I did taught
me more about my variables and will help me in my experiments.

HYPOTHESIS:
The hypothesis of this research project is that the type of wire coiled around the iron core of an
electromagnet will cause a significant change in the electromagnets strength.

MATERIALS:
16d Nail
Magnet Wire (at least 100cm)
Stainless Steel Wire (at least 100cm)
Copper Wire (at least 100cm)
Nitinol Wire (at least 100cm)
30mm Paperclip
Packing Foam
Sand Paper
4 D-Cell 1.5v Batteries
Battery Band
6 Caliper

PROCEDURES:
1. Begin by winding the magnet wire around the nail 95 times.
2. Be sure to leave at least 25cm of wire at each end of the coil.
3. Stick the nail into the foam base to keep the wire from sliding off the nail.
4. Use sandpaper to completely remove 2.5cm of any enamel from both ends of the wire.
5. Connect the coil to a D-Cell battery.
6. Place the electromagnet and paperclip on a flat surface separated by 10cm and mark
where the end of the paperclip is.
7. Move the electromagnet progressively towards the paperclip until the paperclip gets
magnetized.
8. Remove the paperclip from the electromagnet.
9. Measure the distance between the electromagnet and mark you made. Observe and record
the measurement.
10. When you finish using the electromagnet, be sure to disconnect the coil from the battery.
*Repeat steps 1-10 with the remaining wires. Perform 30 tests using each wire.
DATA:
TRIALS MAGNET COPPERWIRE STEELWIRE NITINOL
WIRE(mm) (mm) (mm) WIRE(mm)

1 11.59 11.21 1.95 0.00

2 13.22 8.42 1.23 0.00

3 10.18 12.08 1.25 0.00

4 9.47 7.38 1.36 0.00

5 8.51 8.91 1.47 0.00

6 8.17 9.05 1.43 0.00

7 8.81 9.08 1.22 0.00

8 9.09 9.20 1.56 0.00

9 10.25 8.39 1.87 0.00

10 8.93 8.52 1.79 0.00

11 9.45 7.26 1.84 0.00

12 8.24 7.29 1.31 0.00

13 9.98 8.03 2.08 0.00

14 8.23 7.37 1.53 0.00

15 9.13 7.80 1.76 0.00

16 8.36 6.12 1.74 0.00

17 8.82 7.53 1.83 0.00

18 7.75 7.08 1.73 0.00

19 8.33 6.06 1.98 0.00

20 9.21 8.19 2.01 0.00

21 7.17 7.32 2.05 0.00

22 8.16 6.02 1.86 0.00

23 8.52 7.39 1.17 0.00

 24 10.57 6.78 1.29 0.00

25 8.47 8.02 1.13 0.00

26 9.27 6.27 1.19 0.00

27 9.11 7.34 1.06 0.00

28 9.76 7.12 1.67 0.00

29 8.21 6.17 1.63 0.00

30 8.47 6.97 1.56 0.00

AVERAGE 9.11 7.81 1.59 0.00

RESULTS:
The magnet wire magnetized the paper clip from about 9.11 mm while the copper wire
magnetized the paper clip from about 7.81 mm. The steel wire magnetized the paper clip from
about 1.59 mm while the nitinol wire did not magnetize the paper clip at all. The magnet wire
and copper wire electromagnets were the best because the wires are able to carry more electricity
or current.

CONCLUSION:
Yes, my hypothesis is true because the wire coiled around the iron core of an electromagnet
resulted in a significant change in the electromagnets strength.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Parker, Steve. DK Eyewitness Books: Electricity. London: Dorling Kindersley (DK), 2013
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnet_wire
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_conductor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_titanium
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel