Elenco Upgrade Kit SC500 to SC750 - Manual (Page 73)

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Project #664
OBJECTIVE: To show how electricity can lift things using
magnetism.
Electromagnet Tower
Project #665
OBJECTIVE: To learn how electricity and magnetism are
related.
Paperclip Compass
Use the circuit from project #664, but place the iron core rod in the
electromagnet (M3). You may want to use the slide switch (S1) in
place of the press switch (S2), but only turn it on as needed or you will
quickly drain your batteries.
Slide two paperclips together, using their loops.
Turn on the switch and hold the paperclips just above the
electromagnet, without them touching the iron core rod. Watch how
the lower paperclip is drawn toward the iron core rod, and will point
towards it just like a compass.
This circuit gives a dramatic demonstration of how
the electromagnet (M3) can suck up a paperclip.
Take a paperclip and straighten it out, then bend
it in half. Drop it into the electromagnet center,
and then press the press switch (S2) several
times. The paperclip gets sucked into the center
of the electromagnet and stays suspended there
until you release the press switch.
Add two more 1-snaps under the electromagnet
to make it higher, and try this again. Then try
sucking up other thin iron objects, like nails.
Straighten and
bend paperclip
Drop in
To learn more about how circuits work, visit www.snapcircuits.net or page 85 to find out about our Student Guides.