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Forces in Nature Retest

11 of 2011 of 20 Items

Question
Possible Points: 5
Seamus made an electromagnet from an iron nail, a piece of copper wire with three coils spread out across the nail, and a AAA-sized battery. His magnet attracts only one paper clip, and he wants to boost the power of his magnet to attract at least four paper clips. What two things can Seamus do to accomplish his goal?
Responses

Seamus can add batteries to decrease the voltage, and he can increase the space between the wire coils.
Seamus can add batteries to decrease the voltage, and he can increase the space between the wire coils.

Seamus can add batteries to increase the voltage, and he can increase the space between the wire coils.
Seamus can add batteries to increase the voltage, and he can increase the space between the wire coils.

Seamus can add batteries to increase the voltage, and he can decrease the space between the wire coils.
Seamus can add batteries to increase the voltage, and he can decrease the space between the wire coils.

Seamus can add batteries to decrease the voltage, and he can decrease the space between the wire coils.
Seamus can add batteries to decrease the voltage, and he can decrease the space between the wire coils.

1 answer

To boost the power of his electromagnet and attract at least four paper clips, Seamus should consider the following:

  1. Increase the voltage: By adding more batteries (in series) to increase the voltage supplied to the wire, he can increase the current flowing through the wire, which will enhance the magnetic field produced by the coils.

  2. Decrease the space between the wire coils: By tightly winding the wire around the nail and decreasing the space between the coils, he can increase the strength of the magnetic field generated because the magnetic field lines will be more concentrated.

Thus, the best choice for Seamus would be:

Seamus can add batteries to increase the voltage, and he can decrease the space between the wire coils.