Question

Question
Malik built a simple electromagnet with copper wire, an iron bolt, and a 1.5-volt battery. The electromagnet was able to lift a paper clip from 3 centimeters away. Select three ways Malik can improve the strength of his electromagnet.(4 points)
Responses

He can replace the iron rod with a wooden rod.
He can replace the iron rod with a wooden rod.

He can replace the 1.5-volt battery with a battery of higher voltage.
He can replace the 1.5-volt battery with a battery of higher voltage.

He can reverse the orientation of the battery.
He can reverse the orientation of the battery.

He can use a longer piece of wire that wraps more times around the bolt.
He can use a longer piece of wire that wraps more times around the bolt.

He can use a thicker piece of copper wire.
He can use a thicker piece of copper wire.
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Answer 1

Correct choices (and why):

- He can replace the 1.5‑volt battery with a battery of higher voltage. (Higher voltage → higher current → stronger magnetic field.)
- He can use a longer piece of wire that wraps more times around the bolt. (More turns increases the field strength.)
- He can use a thicker piece of copper wire. (Thicker wire has lower resistance → higher current for the same voltage.)

Incorrect options: replacing the iron rod with wood would make it much weaker, and reversing the battery only flips polarity, not strength.