Solenoid

Make an electromagnet to move a plunger, then use it to make a door bell and a launcher
(electric catapult).
Introduction:
You have already made electromagnets with iron cores and examined their magnetic forces.
In your experiments you wrapped the insulated wire right over the core; however, you
could also wrap the wire on a plastic or paper tube and then insert the nail in the tube. The
tube with wire on that will form the coil. The metal you insert in the tube will be the core.
When the core is removable, you may also perform additional experiments related to
electromagnet. For example you may try to find out how do different core materials (iron,
copper, aluminum, air,...) affect the strength of your electromagnet. If you try such
experiments, you may notice that the magnetic force pulls the core into the tube with a
great force. That is right. A core with partially inserted core will actually pull the core in
when electricity is applied. An electromagnet with moving core is called solenoid. Solenoids
are used in door bells and electrical valves and switches. Every washing machine has
solenoids to open or close the valves or release detergents into the machine when needed.
In this project you will make solenoids and use them as door chime and electric launcher
(electric catapult).
Problem and Purpose:
Make an solenoid (electromagnet with moving plunger) and use it as a door chime and a
launcher.
Materials:
2" (or 5 cm) long plastic
tube from a straw or a pen.
A wooden straw may be
used as well.
40 feet (12 meters)
magnet wire
Nail or iron rod that can
slide in the tube.

Construction:
1. Get a 2" (5 cm) tube and wind 40 feet (12 meters) magnet wire around it in a way
that about one foot (30 cm) wire remains unwind from each end.
2. Wrap some masking tape on the wire to hold it in place and protect it from getting
unwind.
3. Use a sand paper to remove the insulation from the ends of the wire where you
make the connections.
4. Connect one wire of the coil to the battery holder.
5. Connect the other wire of the coil to a switch you install on a board. Connect the
other side of the switch to the remaining wire of the battery holder.
6. Test your circuit by placing a compass near one end of the coil and pressing the key.
Does compass must move? If not, check the connections.
7. Insert about one inch (2 cm) of the nail inside the tube and push the switch. This will
rapidly pull the nail into the tube. Now your solenoid (or magnetic plunger) is ready.
You can use it to make many different things.
When electricity is applied, the core (nail)
is pulled into the coil. In most solenoids a
spring will push back the core when
electric current is stopped. In this way
the action can be repeated.


Make a door chime
Simple Chime:
When the nail is pulling inside and
comes out of the other end, it may
hit a spoon or any other metal
object hanging from a string and
create a sound.

Double Chime:
Use tape or any other method to
mount your coil vertically on a wall
or on the side of a box. Insert the
plunger (nail) inside and then
place metal bars on both ends of
the coil. When you push the
switch, the nail is pulled up and hit
the upper bar. This creates the
first sound. If you release the
switch, the nail will fall back down
and hit the lower metal bar
causing the second sound. Metal
bars can be any metal object that
can make sound. You may use
empty metal cans instead of metal
bars.

Make an electric Catapult
Catapult is a device that
can launch an object. You
can use your solenoid as an
electric catapult. Hold your
electromagnet at the edge
of a table horizontally (Be
careful not to aim
anybody). Pull the plunger
back, insert a small pebble
and close the switch.
Experiment with the
catapult to see at what
angle the catapult will give
you maximum launching
distance. Also experiment
with the size of the pebble
or initial position of the
nail.
Note: For best results, the
inner diameter of tube
must be slightly more than
the diameter of the core
(nail).