Joe follows the procedure below to make a compass.

1. Move a magnet from the top of a needle to its point fifty times.
2. Lay the needle on a cork that is floating in a bowl of water.
3. Observe the direction that the needle points.

What is the purpose of step 1?

to give the needle an electric charge
to make the needle sharper
to magnetize the needle
to flatten the side of the needle