Prototypes V1 and V2 complete!

V1:

 - Created to show that I knew how to use magnet wire and basic wiring (just a 9v battery and alligator clips)

       - Learned that alligator clips clamped with the wire parallel to the clip wire...not horizontal/perpendicular...oops...

- Worked and was able to pick up a single paper clip just barely

V2:

- Created as a further proof of concept

- Used a zinc screw instead of the drywall nail from before (to see if it works too) but ran into a problem with the threads preventing the magnet wire from making contact with each other so I covered the threaded portion with electrical tape to create a smooth surface to coil the magnet wire onto, seems to work fine still!

- Used a magnet strength calculator (Solenoid (Electromagnet) Force Calculator (daycounter.com)) to see which variable is which (ie how to manipulate it) and to see if the calculator was accurate - turns out its about accurate! Magnet strength was predicted to be about 3g and it was capable of lifting a paper clip and the V1 prototype which should be roughly 3g

       - I'll need to use the calculator later to figure out the approximate size of the electromagnet I need to actually hold up the final design

All in all, I learned a lot from these two prototypes!