electromagnets

[FraggedLocust]

I'm playing around with a homemade electromagnet, made from a permanent magnet and some wire I bought. I was unaware that having uninsulated wire is an issue. Would having a short circuit cause the magnet to be any less strong with 60 turns?

[Thelasko]

Would having a short circuit cause the magnet to be any less strong with 60 turns?
Yes it will. The electricity must go around in a circle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-hand_rule#Direction_associated_with_a_rotation) to get a linear magnetic force. The short will prevent the electricity from going in a circle (technically a helix, not a circle).