PURPOSE: To demonstrate that current-carrying coils produce magnetic fields and interact like bar magnets.

DESCRIPTION: Two coils are aligned with their currents moving around in the same direction, so their magnet fields will be North-to-South. They will attract each other when the current is started by pushing the switch. Changing the wires on the top can change the magnetic poles adjacent, getting either attraction or repulsion.

SUGGESTIONS:

EQUIPMENT: Mounted setup of two coils, large 12 VDC power supply, and switch.

SETUP TIME: 30 min.