Switch On the Magnet: Electromagnets

About This Resource

A free Grade 6 science worksheet on electromagnets: how an electric current flowing through a coil of wire makes a magnetic field, why an iron core makes the magnet stronger, the three ways to increase its strength, how electromagnets compare with permanent magnets, and where they are used, from scrapyard cranes to doorbells and speakers. Includes a timed lesson plan, a six-activity worksheet with a fair-test investigation, an editable Word version and answer key.

Overview

Students discover that electricity and magnetism are linked. They learn that a current flowing through a wire makes a weak magnetic field, that coiling the wire around an iron nail makes a much stronger magnet, and that the magnet can be switched on and off. They read about an investigation into the number of coils, interpret its results table, compare electromagnets with permanent magnets, and explain why electromagnets are so useful in everyday machines.

Resource Details

Subject: Science
Topic: Electromagnets
Category: Forces & Energy
File Type: PDF
File Size: 280.6 KB
Published: 04 Nov 2026
Downloads: 2

Download

Free download — no account required.

Teaching this in class? Try our free Random Name Picker & Timer.

Looking for something different? Request a Resource.

Grade 6 (ages 11–12) 45 minutes Physical science reading a results table fair testing comparing explaining

Student Task

Ask: "How could a crane pick up a car made of steel and then drop it exactly where it wants?" List ideas.
Teach how an electromagnet is made and how to make it stronger, then do activities 1 and 2 together.
Students complete activities 3 to 6. Answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Use

Build an electromagnet: wrap insulated wire around a large iron nail, connect it to a battery and count how many paper clips it can lift with 10, 20 and 30 coils.
Switch test: show that the paper clips fall the moment the circuit is broken, then discuss why this is useful.
Electromagnet hunt: students list machines at home or school that might contain an electromagnet, such as a doorbell, a speaker or an electric lock.

Differentiation

Support: give a labeled diagram of an electromagnet and a word bank. Challenge: plan a fair test for a different variable, such as the size of the nail, naming what to change, what to measure and what to keep the same.

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 5 check how electromagnets work, how to make them stronger and how they compare with permanent magnets (answer key included). Activity 6 checks scientific explanation.

Learning Objectives

Explain how an electromagnet is made and why it can be switched on and off.
Identify three ways to make an electromagnet stronger.
Interpret the results of a fair test and compare electromagnets with permanent magnets.

Teacher Tips

If students build electromagnets, use insulated wire and a 1.5 V battery, and disconnect the circuit between tests. The wire and battery warm up quickly if left connected, so keep each test short.

What's Included

7-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (6 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Editable Word version of the worksheet
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)