May the Force Be With You

Overview

Objectives/Goals Our First Goal was to picture the shape of the field around an electromagnet. Our Second Goal was to measure the strength of the force field near a pole of the electromagnet. We hypothesized that modifying certain features of an electromagnet would affect the force field. Methods/Materials We tested the strength of the electromagnet by comparing the weight of a metal disk when the electromagnet was on or off. We tested these features: distance from the disk, magnet core, number of coils of wire, and amount of current (I). We graphed the disk's change of weight in these experiments to see if any mathematical rules applied. Results An electromagnet generates greater force with: more current (I), more coils, a closer distance, and a ferromagnetic core. Conclusions/Discussion Our initial hypothesis was qualitatively correct but quantitatively incorrect. We found this by graphing the results of our experiments. For example: when you have three times the current the force triples, but if you get three times as close, the force is nine times as great. By understanding the physics of electromagnets, one can predict how an electromagnet will work. By understanding how electromagnets work you can use them to create new inventions in today's technology.

Competition history

• CSEF 2005 Physics & Astronomy · Entry J1598

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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