Making a magnetic crane can be a great science experiment or a fun project regardless of age. These simple versions of much larger machines will use an electromagnetic field to pick up other objects much like the bigger versions do.
You will want to begin the project by gathering your supplies. First on your list is a power source. A power pack or D-cell battery will work great for this purpose. Next you want a large nail, bolt or other piece of steel about four to six inches long. Then you want to find ten feet of coated wire. Magnet wire is preferred but other types of wire will be acceptable for this project. Finally you should have some vinyl electrical tape.
Start the project by wrapping the wire around your nail or bolt in several even wraps. You want to use a lot of wraps because this will increase your electromagnetic field. Once you have completed that step you will then strip the insulation off of the end of the wire about two centimeters up. This section is going to connected to the battery and used to give your project its power. Now you will take the tape and attach these ends to each section of the D-cell battery.
Once you have it all connected you can use your new electromagnetic device. Find some paperclips, pins or other items made from steel. Then you can use this to pick them up. The magnetic field should hold the object as long as it is attached to a valid power supply. Once the power supply is drained, the object will no longer be held.
You will want to begin the project by gathering your supplies. First on your list is a power source. A power pack or D-cell battery will work great for this purpose. Next you want a large nail, bolt or other piece of steel about four to six inches long. Then you want to find ten feet of coated wire. Magnet wire is preferred but other types of wire will be acceptable for this project. Finally you should have some vinyl electrical tape.
Start the project by wrapping the wire around your nail or bolt in several even wraps. You want to use a lot of wraps because this will increase your electromagnetic field. Once you have completed that step you will then strip the insulation off of the end of the wire about two centimeters up. This section is going to connected to the battery and used to give your project its power. Now you will take the tape and attach these ends to each section of the D-cell battery.
Once you have it all connected you can use your new electromagnetic device. Find some paperclips, pins or other items made from steel. Then you can use this to pick them up. The magnetic field should hold the object as long as it is attached to a valid power supply. Once the power supply is drained, the object will no longer be held.
