ARNING: Always check your wiring before
W
turnin g o n a circuit. Never l eave a circ uit
unatte nded while the batter ies are inst alled.
ever connect additional batteries or any other
N
ower sources to your circuits.
p
Electromagnetism
Model SCP-08
WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD -
Never connect Snap Circuits
o the electrical outlets in your
t
home in any way!
®
Project #1
All materials have tiny particles with magnetic charges, which are usually so
well balanced that you do not notice them unless a magnetic field disturbs them.
Magnets are materials that concentrate their magnetic charges at opposite
ends. One side attracts while the other repels, but the overall material is neutral.
The earth we live on is a giant magnet, due to its iron core. A compass needle
always points north because it is attracted to the earth’s magnetic field.
Magnets & Electronic Magnets
Build the circuit shown. Place the iron core rod inside the
electromagnet (M3), and install three (3) “AA” alkaline
batteries (not included) into the battery holder (B3).
Hold the electromagnet near something made of iron and
push the switch (S2). While pressed, the electromagnet will
attract small iron parts like nails or will stick to a hammer or
refrigerator. Release the switch and the attraction disappears.
Pressing the switch turns on an electric current
which transforms the electromagnet from an
ordinary coil of copper wire into a magnet.
Notice that the magnet will attract
small iron parts and stick to things
like the electromagnet did.
An electronic magnet is
better than an ordinary
magnet because you
can turn it on or off with
a switch.
Large electromagnets
are used to move
things around at
factories and junkyards.
An electric current
flowing in a wire has a
tiny magnetic field. By
looping a long wire into a
coil the tiny magnetic
field is concentrated into
a large one.
The strength of the
magnetic field depends
on how much current is
flowing in the wire and
how many loops of wire.
If you have any problems, contact Elenco
®
Copyright © 2010 Elenco®Electronics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. • 150 Carpenter Ave. • Wheeling, IL 60090
(800) 533-2441 Fax: (847) 520-0085 • e-mail: elenco@elenco.com • Web site: www.elenco.com or www.snapcircuits.net
753153
Project #2
2
5
Magnetic Fields
Note: the compass
needle may point
opposite to how it’s
shown here, depending
on how you connected
the jumper wires.
6
1
3
1. The magnetic field is an area around a magnet where it
can affect other objects. It is strongest at the ends of the
magnet. Use the circuit from the preceding project to
compare the magnetic fields of the electromagnet and
magnet.
Hold your compass next to the electromagnet and push
the press switch (S2). Move the compass all around the
electromagnet and watch where the compass points.
Shake the iron filings pack to spread the filings evenly,
then move the pack around on top of the electromagnet
and see how the fillings change (fresh batteries are
recommended, and the fillings may not move much). Do
the same with the magnet.
2. The magnetic field created by a magnet occurs in a loop.
You can see this using paper clips.
3. Loop two paper clips together. Hold them near the
magnet, and move them around it to see the magnetic
field. Do the same with the electromagnet, with the
switch pressed.
4. Hold the compass near the electromagnet and note the
orientation of its arrow. Next, flip the electromagnet
around, reversing the wires to it. Now the other side of
the compass needed is attracted to the electromagnet
(magnetic field is reversed). The direction of a magnetic
field from a current flowing in a wire (or coil of wire)
depends on the direction of the electric current.
5. Remove the iron core rod from the electromagnet. Now
push the press switch again and try to pick up things with
the electromagnet. The attraction is now very weak.
The iron core rod concentrated the magnetic effects of
the electromagnet. You can use the compass to see that
electronic field is now much weaker.
6. Materials made of iron concentrate their magnetic effects
at both ends. The center of the material is magnetically
neutral because the attraction from each end is the same.
The magnetic field created by the electromagnet works
the same way. It is strongest at both ends but neutral in
the center. But the electromagnet is hollow - so iron at
one end will be sucked into the middle.
Lay the electromagnet on its side. Hold the thin rod next
to the center hole and push the press switch to suck it
inside. Hold the switch and gently pull the rod to see how
much suction the electromagnet has.
Project #3
Electromagnet Tower
Project #4
Be a Magician
Part A: Secure the magnet in
place with nothing beneath it. Tie
a paper clip to some string and
place it on the magnet. Slowly
pull the string away so the paper
clip is suspended in air. Hold the
paper clip in place with a weight,
as shown.
Next, hold the magnet near the
paper clip and lift it off the ground,
without it touching the magnet.
Move it around in mid-air.
Build the circuit as shown and drop
the thin rod into the electromagnet
(M3). Push the press switch (S2)
several times. The thin rod gets
sucked into the electromagnet and
can be suspended there, or you can
bounce it up and down.
When you push the press switch, the
thin rod gets sucked up and wiggles
up and down until settling in position
just below center. Measure how high
you get the thin rod to go, then try
with old and brand new batteries.
Also try adjusting the height of the
electromagnet.
Part B: With the switch pressed and
the thin rod suspended in mid-air,
hold the magnet near the thin rod.
Notice that one side of the magnet
repels the thin rod but the other side
attracts it.
A magnet has a magnetic field,
and a battery has an electric
field. The north and south poles
of a magnet are comparable to
the positive and negative
terminals of a battery.
Electric and magnetic fields
affect each other. If you place a
magnet next to a radio your
reception can be disturbed.
S
Magnet - magnetic field
N
+–
Battery - electric field
Part B: Build the circuit shown
and place the iron core rod in the
electromagnet (M3). Secure the
paper clip-string with a weight
above the circuit, as shown. Push
the press switch (S2) to pull the
paper clip towards the
electromagnet. Attract and
release the paper clip by pressing
and releasing the switch.
OTHER SNAP CIRCUITS®PRODUCTS!
PARTS LIST
Contact Elenco®to find out where you can purchase these products.
Snap Circuits®Jr. Model SC-100
Build over 100 projects, contains over 30 parts.
Snap Circuits
®
Model SC-300
Build over 300 projects, contains over 60 parts.
Qty. ID Name Part #
r 1 B3 Battery holder 6SCB3
r 1 Compass 6SCCOM
r 1 Iron fillings pack 6SCIF
r 1 Jumper wire,
black 6SCJ1
r 1 Jumper wire, red 6SCJ2
r 1 M3 Electromagnet 6SCM3
r 1 Iron core rod 6SCM3B
r 1 Paperclips 6SCM3P
r 1 Magnet 6SCMAG
r 1 S2 Press switch 6SCS2
r 1 Thin rod MWK01P5
Important: If any parts are missing or
damaged, DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER.
Call toll-free (800) 533-2441 or e-mail us at:
help@elenco.com.
Customer Service • 150 Carpenter Ave. •
Wheeling, IL 60090 U.S.A.
You may order additional / replacement parts
at our web site: www.snapcircuits.net
Snap Circuits®Pro Model SC-500
Build over 500 projects, contains over 75 parts.
Musical Recorder
Model SCP-01
FM Radio
Model SCP-02
Snap Circuits®Extreme Model SC-750
Build over 750 projects, contains over 80 parts, and PC interface included.
Motion Detector
Model SCP-03
Flying Saucer
Model SCP-06
Water Power
Model SCP-07
BATTERIES:
Use only 1.5V AA type (not included).
Insert batteries with correct polarity.
Non-rechargeable batteries should not
be recharged. Rechargeable batteries
should only be charged under adult
supervision, and should not be
recharged while in the product. Do not
mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or
rechargeable (nickel-cadmium)
batteries. Remove batteries when they
are used up. Do not short circuit the
battery terminals. Never throw batteries
in a fire or attempt to open its outer
casing. Batteries are harmful if
swallowed, so keep away from small
children.
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