Simple household items and you can make your own magnet. Watch and learn my friends!
Most magnets, like the ones on many refrigerators, cannot be turned off, they are called permanent magnets. Magnets like the one made here can be turned on and off, are called ELECTROMAGNETS.
They run on electricity and are only magnetic when the electricity is flowing. The electricity flowing through the wire arranges the molecules in the nail so that they are attracted to certain metals.
In 1831, Michael Faraday carried out numerous experiments in his attempt to prove that electricity could be generated from magnetism. Within the course of a few weeks, the great experimentalist not only had clearly demonstrated this phenomenon, now known as electromagnetic induction, but also had developed a good conception of the processes involved.
Have students build their own electromagnet and answer these questions as they work.
Check out more explanations and extensions!
Check out some resources on doing it yourself:
Getting Started with Tutorials - let's get started
Screen Recording - information from the community
