Select each correct answer. More than one answer may be correct.

Question

Charlotte built a simple electromagnet, shown below.

She found that the electromagnet picked up the entire pile of paper clips the instant she turned it on. Which of the following might allow Charlotte's electromagnet to pick up a single paper clip at a time?

increasing the distance between the electromagnet and the paper clips
increasing the number of batteries supplying voltage to the electromagnet
increasing the number of loops in the electromagnet's coil
removing the iron nail from the core of the electromagnet

Answer 1

To allow Charlotte's electromagnet to pick up a single paper clip at a time, the following options may be effective:

1. Increasing the number of batteries supplying voltage to the electromagnet: This will increase the strength of the magnet, which may allow it to pick up a single paper clip more effectively.

2. Increasing the number of loops in the electromagnet's coil: More loops increase the magnetic field strength, allowing for finer control over the amount of magnetism, which can help in picking up a single paper clip.

The other options would not help in picking up a single paper clip:

• Increasing the distance between the electromagnet and the paper clips: This would reduce the strength of the magnetic field acting on the paper clips, making it less likely to pick up a paper clip.

• Removing the iron nail from the core of the electromagnet: The iron core significantly increases the strength of the electromagnet. Removing it would decrease the magnetism produced, making it less likely to pick up even a single paper clip.

In summary, the correct answers are:

• Increasing the number of batteries supplying voltage to the electromagnet
• Increasing the number of loops in the electromagnet's coil