Secondary 3 – Science Practical Exam: Exploring Electromagnetism
As part of their Science Practical Exam, the Secondary 3 students carried out a hands-on investigation into electromagnetism. Using simple materials: a battery, copper wire, an iron nail and some paper clips, they successfully created a basic electromagnet from scratch.
The students began by wrapping the copper wire tightly and evenly around the iron nail, forming a solenoid. Then, they connected the ends of the wire to a battery. As electric current flowed through the wire, the wrapped coil generated a magnetic field, instantly transforming the nail into a temporary magnet. To their amazement, the nail which is normally not magnetic was suddenly able to pick up small metal objects like paper clips and pins. This happened because the flow of electricity through the coiled wire created a magnetic field, and the iron nail intensified this field, acting as a magnetic core. Once the current was switched off, the magnetism disappeared, demonstrating that an electromagnet’s power relies entirely on the presence of electric current.
The activity gave students a clear and engaging demonstration of the link between electricity and magnetism. It also provided real world insight into how devices like electric motors, doorbells and scrapyard magnets work. Beyond understanding the science, the experience sparked their curiosity about the hidden forces that power so many technologies in our daily lives. ***
