ELECTRONIC MAGNET CRANE

An electromagnet is a magnet that requires an electrical current to create

magnetism. This is useful technology because an operator can control

the strength of the electromagnet through the level of the electric

current. One application of this is with an electromagnetic crane. A

variety of science project ideas on the electromagnetic crane are

available for students ages 12 and older.

1. Relevant Technology

o Because some adolescents and teenagers may not know the

difference between a standard magnet and an electromagnet,

a project to illustrate the difference would be beneficial. The

student could display how a standard magnet works, and then

show how an electromagnet requires an electric current to

produce magnetism. This project could use a video of an

electromagnetic crane to demonstrate a real-world

application of electromagnetism. The history of the

electromagnetic crane and its uses should also be presented.

Building a Simple Electromagnetic Crane

o For a more complex project, build a simple electromagnetic

crane. With standard electrical wire, a 6-volt battery, a lead

core and paper clips, a student could display a basic example

of how an electromagnetic crane works. By running the

electrical wire to the positive and negative leads on the 6-volt

battery and creating a closed electrical circuit that wraps

around the lead core, the student could produce

electromagnetism and pick up small metal objects, such as

the paper clips.

Electromagnet Analysis

o By taking multiple 6-volt batteries, electrical wire, a lead

core and a metal object, such as many paper clips, the student

could display the increasing power of an electromagnetic.

Start by connecting a single 6-volt battery to the iron core

using a closed circuit via the electrical wire. Record a paper

clip's weight. See the maximum amount of paper clips a

single 6-volt battery can lift. Connect two, three and four 6-

volt batteries and repeat the process for each number of

batteries to show how much the electromagnet's power

increases.

Electromagnet and Pulley Comparison

o After building an electromagnet, the student could assemble a

pulley system with some rope and two or more wheels. The

student could then hypothesize about which has better lifting

capability. Try lifting different metal objects. Record the

weights of these objects and describe how many batteries it

took to equal the lifting power of a single wheel of a pulley

system. Using basic physics equations with force, mass,

distance and work, the student could show the work potential

of each lifting system.