Instructions on
how to make a magnet. You will
need:
1
long ferrous metal object;
1
cardboard tube that is
large enough to
contain
the
long ferrous metal object;
1
Household
extension cord;
1
Wire cutter;
1
Glue stick;
1
Compass;
1
Roll of
scotch tape;
1
Glass jar or
pyrex;
1 Thin
strip of
tinfoil.
Procedure:
1. Using the
wire cutter,
cut the
female end of the
extension cord off, then
strip off the
outer layer of the
extension cord. _Do not_ strip the wires inside.
2.
Find the
green ground wire.
Cut it off.
3. Apply the
glue stick to the
outside of the
cardboard tube,
leaving approximately 1/2
inch on each end '
clean' of glue.
4.
Coil the wires
tightly in one
direction around the
cardboard tube.
Start 1/2
inch from one
end of the
tube, and
stop the same
distance from the other
end, so that
the wires stick to the
tube.
Leave enough
wire hanging at the
end to complete the
next step.
5. Take the
ends of the
wires and
strip the ends.
Hang the
wires in the
jar so that they are not
grounded.
6.
Tape the
wires to the ends of the
strip of
foil. Make
sure that the
wires are in
contact with the
foil.
Tape the
insulated part of the wire to the
glass container.
7.
After making
sure that you will not be
electrocuted,
plug in the male end of the extension cord. The
foil fuse will burn out almost
immediately.
Unplug the
project from the wall, and
remove the object. Place
one end near the
compass. If the
compass
does not change,
something went wrong. If the
compass points its
south needle at your new
magnet, mark that
end south, and the other
north. If the
compass points its
north needle at your
magnet, mark that end
north, and the other
south.
Congratulations! you now own a
homemade magnet!