1. Wind about 100 turns of the 2 yard piece of wire around the nail
2. Connect one wire end to the switch and the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the “Power Pack”. Connect the remaining 6” wire between the switch and the negative (-) terminal of the “Energizer® Power Pack”.
3. With the switch open try to pick up some paper clips and tacks. What happens?
4. Close the switch and try to pick up the same paper clips and tacks. What happens?
You can increase the power of your electromagnet by winding more turns of wire around the nail. You could also use transformer wire with an enamel exterior to get more wraps around the nail.