An electromagnet is built using a 9-volt battery connected to a switch via conducting wire that is coiled around an iron nail. A pile of metal paper clips is moved close to the iron nail, yet no attraction is apparent between the electromagnet and the paper clips. What is the most likely conclusion to explain this result?

Question

Responses

There are not enough coils of wire around the iron nail.

The paper clips are made of a nonmagnetic metal.

The switch is turned off.

The switch is turned on.

Answer 1

The most likely conclusion to explain the lack of attraction between the electromagnet and the paper clips is:

The switch is turned off.

If the switch is off, no current flows through the wire, and consequently, there will be no magnetic field generated by the coil around the iron nail, preventing it from attracting the paper clips.