What are the effects of temperature and electricity on a magnet?
Physics and Astronomy- Grade:
- 10
- Teacher:
- Mari Echols
This project aimed to explore the question of how temperature and electricity differ in affecting the strength of a magnet. The initial hypothesis was that if a magnet undergoes changes in temperature or electricity, then its power will vary and an increase in electricity will strengthen the power of the magnet more than temperature because of new magnetic fields amplifying the original one of the magnet with electricity rather than a disruption in the magnetic field being caused by a change in temperature. The process was to cool the magnet, heat the magnet to 100 degrees C, and apply electricity through coiled wires to the magnet in order to see how much stronger, or weaker, they became compared to its original value, measured by the number of paperclips held. The results showed that cooling a magnet significantly increased its power, while electrifying it slightly increased its power. Heating it, however, decreased it significantly, approximately by a 30% reduction. The results did not support our initial hypothesis. While electrification did amplify the strength of the magnet, a change in temperature, cooling, was more effective. These results are important because it demonstrates that cooling a magnet is the best accessible way to amplify a magnet’s power.