OpenOlympiad
Concept 6 of 8Foundation
Video

Making your own magnet

Three ways to magnetize an iron/steel bar:

  1. Single-touch method: stroke the bar from one end to the other with a strong magnet, in the SAME direction, many times.
  2. Induction: place iron near a strong magnet (gets magnetic, usually temporarily).
  3. Electromagnet: wrap insulated wire around iron and pass current. Iron becomes a magnet only while current flows.
Example
Stroke a steel needle 50 times in one direction with a bar magnet — the needle can now attract pins.
💡 Tip:Electromagnets are powerful AND controllable (on/off) — used in cranes, doorbells, relays, loudspeakers.
Prefer a video? Open YouTube search for “how to make a magnet class 6

🎯 Try it!

5 questions to check what you just read.

0 / 5
  1. Q1.Easiest way to magnetise a steel needle:
  2. Q2.Iron near a strong magnet becomes:
  3. Q3.Electromagnet needs:
  4. Q4.Why stroke needle in ONE direction only?
  5. Q5.Which material can be made into a permanent magnet most easily?