What are Electromagnets - Overview, Structure, Properties & Uses

Q: What is an electromagnet example?

Some example of electromagnets are hairdryers, CD players, power drills, electric saws, and electric mixers

What are Electromagnets - Definition, Uses, Working Principle, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Nov 29, 2022 02:41 PM IST

What is an Electromagnets?

We already know that an electric current can generate a magnetic field in a plane perpendicular to the current flow direction. This is how the electromagnet works. A magnet that is powered by electricity is known as an electromagnet. An electromagnet's strength may be modified by changing the amount of electric current running through it, unlike a permanent magnet. The property of magnetism is lost when the current flow is interrupted. Electromagnet is based on the magnetic effect of electric current.

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What is an Electromagnets?
What Are Electromagnet?
How To Make An Electromagnet?
What is the principle of electromagnets?

What are Electromagnets - Definition, Uses, Working Principle, FAQs

Electromagnet

However, the electromagnet has an advantage over a permanent magnet in that managing the electric current also controls the magnetic field, i.e., the strength of the electric field influences the strength of the magnetic field. In fact, by reversing the flow of electricity, the poles of an electromagnet can be reversed.

What Are Electromagnet?

A coil of wire is used to make electromagnets (wire curled in series). This is more effective than a straight line in producing a magnetic field. Winding a wire tightly around a powerful core formed of magnetic material, such as iron, can enhance this effect. A coil is twisted around an iron nail in the image above. The iron nail is not magnetic on its own.

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How To Make An Electromagnet?

Following objects are required to make an electromagnet.

A nail made of iron (about 3 inches)

3 feet of copper wire with a thin coating

A brand-new D-size battery

Some small magnetic things, such as paper clips

Electromagnet

What should I do?

1. Leave about 8 inches of wire unwrapped at one end and wrap the rest of it around the nail. Make sure the wires aren't overlapping.

2. Trim the wire (if necessary) so that it is about 8 inches loose on the other end as well.

3. Remove about an inch of the plastic coating from both ends of the wire and attach one to one end of the battery and the other to the other. See the illustration below. (It's better to tape the wires to the battery, however, be careful that the wire may become quite hot!)

4. Congratulations, you now have an ELECTROMAGNET! It should pick up a few paper clips if you place the point of the nail near them.

NOTE: Making an electromagnet quickly depletes the battery, which is why the battery may become warm; thus, disconnect the wires when you're finished exploring.

What is the mechanism behind it?

Permanent magnets, such as those seen on many refrigerators, are those that cannot be turned off. ELECTROMAGNETS are magnets that can be turned on and off, like the one you constructed. They are only magnetic while the power is flowing and they run on electricity. The molecules in the nail are attracted to particular metals due to the energy passing through the wire. NEVER get the electromagnet wires too close to a household outlet! Enjoy yourself while remaining safe.

The strength of an electromagnet can be increased-

Wrapping the coil around a piece of iron (such as an iron nail)
adding more turns to the coil
boosting the coil's current flow

Magnetic characteristics-

The following are some of the magnet's properties: Magnets attract ferromagnetic elements such as iron, nickel, and cobalt due to their attractive properties. Like poles repel each other, whereas dissimilar poles attract. Directive Property: A freely suspended magnet always points north-south because of Earth magnetic field.

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What is the principle of electromagnets?

Electromagnets and Their Principles of Operation

So, what are electromagnets and how do they work? Let's take a look at the iron nail itself. When it is not influenced by an electric field, why does it not produce a magnetic field?

Individual magnetic fields cancel each other out when the atoms in the nail are orientated in random ways. These atoms are reoriented to point in the same direction under the influence of electric current. These distinct magnetic fields combine to form a powerful magnetic field. The degree of reorientation rises as the current flow increases, resulting in a greater magnetic field. Increased current flow has no effect on the magnetic field created until all the particles are correctly reoriented in the same direction. The magnet is said to be saturated at this stage.

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Electromagnet Applications

The following are some examples of electromagnet applications:

Amplifiers for Particle Accelerators
Electric Motors and Generators with Magnetic Separation
MRI scanners
Transportation Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Induction Heating Hard Drives Control Switches in Relays

Electromagnetism's Disadvantages

The following are some of electromagnetism's drawbacks:

They get really hot very quickly.
It uses a lot of power.

In their magnetic field, they can store enormous amounts of energy. The energy will discharge if the electric current is disrupted.

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NCERT Physics Notes:

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. What are electromagnets and what is an electromagnet's working principle?

An electromagnet is a magnet made up of a piece of iron or steel encircled by a coil. The metal becomes magnetic when an electric current is put through it.

2. Electromagnets can attract a variety of things.

Permanent magnets and electromagnets both attract metals containing iron. The greater the attraction, the larger the iron content. The lesser the iron concentration, the less appealing it is. Metals such as aluminium, brass, and gold, to name a few, will not be attracted by electromagnets or permanent magnets.

3. Is it possible for an electromagnet to repel?

Depending on the way they're pointed, electromagnets can either attract or repel each other. With a few small batteries, wire, and iron nails, you can construct electromagnets that resist each other.

4. Is an electromagnet used in a compass?

Compass needles are simply little magnets that are free to rotate, allowing us to observe the direction of a magnetic field. Compasses normally align themselves parallel to magnetic field lines in response to the Earth's magnetic field.

5. How is an electromagnet made?

An electromagnet is a magnet made up of a piece of iron or steel encircled by a coil. The metal becomes magnetic when an electric current is put through it.

6. What is an electromagnet example?

Some example of electromagnets are hairdryers, CD players, power drills, electric saws, and electric mixers

7. Are electromagnets alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC)?

A magnetic field can be generated by any current carrying conductor. As a result, electromagnets can be made using both AC and DC power. A magnetic field can be generated by any current carrying conductor. As a result, electromagnets can be made using both AC and DC power.