nail or screw (at least three inches long and made from iron, zinc, or steel)[2] X Research source some thin, coated copper wire scissors one AA battery electrical tape something to pick up, such as metal paperclips or tacks
Coil the wire tightly around the nail or screw until you reach the end. Then, leave another three-inch tail. Cut the wire about three inches past the end of the nail or screw. When you are done, you should have two three-inch pieces of copper wire hanging off of the ends of your screw or nail.
Looping the ends of the wire will help to create a better connection between the battery and the wire.
Secure each of the wire loops to the opposite poles of your battery with a small piece of electrical tape.
If your mini-electromagnet does not work, then check to ensure that the wires are making close contact with both ends of the battery. If they are loose or not connected, then the electromagnet will not work. Detach the copper wires from the battery when you are done using the magnet. The magnet will become hot if the wires are connected for too long.
Don’t forget to count the number of paperclips that your current design can lift before you make adjustments.
Attach the wires to the D battery the same way that you would attach them to the AA battery.
Coil the wire around your nail or screw, then connect the wire from one end of the screw to your knife switch. Then, connect the wire from the other end of the nail or screw to the negative pole of one of the D batteries. Next, connect a piece of copper wire between the positive pole of your battery that is connected to the screw and the negative pole of the battery that is not yet connected to anything. Finish the circuit by connecting a wire between the remaining positive pole and the knife switch. Close the knife switch and you should be able to pick up some paperclips or tacks.
