Page:Various Forces of Matter.djvu/161

(fig. 51), and though connected with one extreme end of the battery, yon see that before the circuit is completed it has no power over the magnet. But observe it when I make contact; watch the needle, see how it is swung round, and notice how indifferent it becomes if I break contact again; so you see we have this wire evidently affecting the magnetic needle under these circumstances. Let me show you that a little more strongly. I have here a quantity of wire which has been wound into a spiral, and this will affect the magnetic needle in a very curious manner, because, owing to its shape, it will act very like a real magnet. The copper spiral has no power over that magnetic needle at present; but if I cause the electric current to circulate through it, by bringing the two ends of the battery in contact with the ends of the wire which forms the spiral, what will happen? Why one end of the needle is most powerfully drawn to it; and if I take the other end of the needle it is repelled; so you see I have produced exactly the same phenomena as I had with the bar magnet,—one end attracting and the other repelling. Is not this then curious to see that we can construct a magnet of copper? Further-