Solenoid with Soft Iron Rod.  Insert the Iron Rod so that your solenoid will have an Iron Core.  We're using a 6V battery for our example. Use connection wires to connect the battery to the Solenoid. Notice that we have not connected the second connection wire yet.  Using a ruler, place a small neodymium magnet about 8 inches away from the solenoid and then connect the wire.  The magnet will jump and stick to the solenoid as soon as the wire is attached. If there is no reaction, move it a little closer.  Now remove the connection wire and place the magnet about 2 or 3 inches away and see if anything happens.  Remove the Iron Rod and place the magnet 3-5 inches away and see if it magnetizes.  Test all different scenarios and distances to get an idea of the effect of the Iron Rod in the Solenoid. |