Secondary 2 – Physics: Electromagnetic Experiment
The Secondary 2 students conducted a simple physics experiment on electromagnets. Using a battery, copper wire, an iron nail and some small metal objects, they created a homemade magnet.
First, the students wrapped the copper wire tightly around the iron nail to form a solenoid, making sure the coils were close and even. Then, they connected both ends of the wire to the terminals of the battery. When electric current began to flow through the wire, something interesting happened—the coiled wire produced a magnetic field, which magnetized the iron nail inside it. The nail, which is normally non-magnetic, suddenly gained the ability to attract small metal objects like paper clips and pins.
This process occurs because the moving electric charges in the wire generate a magnetic field, and the presence of the iron core (the nail) concentrates and strengthens that field, turning it into an effective electromagnet. When the current was disconnected, the nail lost its magnetism—proving that this type of magnetism is temporary and dependent on the flow of electricity.
This experiment gave students a clear and exciting look at the connection between electricity and magnetism. They were able to directly observe how electrical energy can be converted into magnetic force. It also helped them understand the principle behind many everyday devices such as electric motors, doorbells and magnetic cranes. The activity not only strengthened their grasp of electromagnetism but also sparked curiosity about how invisible forces shape the physical world around us. ***
