- #1
lekh2003
Gold Member
- 536
- 340
Homework Statement
[/B]
I am working on a lab report regarding the creation of an electromagnet using an iron core solenoid (just a nail wrapped with copper insulated wire). Before continuing with the creation of the electromagnet, I had to answer some questions regarding my knowledge of electromagnets.
One of those questions is asking how much current would be flowing through the electromagnet.
I know that the voltage is 3 volts, I am probably going to use about 0.5 meters of enameled 24 AWG copper wire.
Homework Equations
V = IR
R = ρL/A
The Attempt at a Solution
My attempt at this problem was simple. I thought that the only resistance would be the copper wire. To find the current, I used the equation:
I = (VA)/(ρL)
The problem I really had was that my value for current was close 300 A. I was worried to continue with the experiment knowing that 300 A are going through the wire. Am I missing something here? Is there some resistance I am not taking into account? Should I be using more wire?
I think the solution is to use much much more wire to create more resistance (maybe 5 m?), I just wanted to check if I'm right.