What is an Electromagnet?
An electromagnet is a magnet that runs on electricity. Unlike a permanent magnet, the strength of an electromagnet can easily be changed by changing the amount of electric current that flows through it. The poles of an electromagnet can even be reversed by reversing the flow of electricity.
An electromagnet works because an electric current produces a magnetic field. The magnetic field produced by an electric current forms circles around the electric current.An electromagnet is a magnet that runs on electricity. Unlike a permanent magnet, the strength of an electromagnet can easily be changed by changing the amount of electric current that flows through it. The poles of an electromagnet can even be reversed by reversing the flow of electricity.
How does an Electromagnet work?
A magnetic field is produced when there is a flow of moving electrons. When an electric current is run in a wire a Magnetic Force will be produced. You can create an electromagnet very easily. Get a steel or iron nail; wrap a copper wire around it as many times as you can. Then connect the ends to a positive and negative end of a battery. This will be an electromagnet. A moving magnetic field going past a wire will induce in it a voltage (and produce a current if there is a circuit). This is how electric generators work. An electric current is produced by the change in Magnetic flux over time. Or just wave a common magnet in front of a conductor such as a wire, an electric current will be produced.
What is an Electromagnet used for?
If your computer is using a CRT (instead of an LCD or plasma screen), the electromagnet is causing the electron beam to "bend" as it passes across the screen to make the image. If your computer uses a hard-drive, electro-magnets are used to position the read/write head, to spin the disk and to write to the head. An electro magnet is also used to spin the motor of the cooling fan(s). Electro-magnets are part of your automobile's electrical system as well. The starter motor uses electro-magnets as do all electric motors, the ignition coil is little more than specialized electro-magnets, the automatic door actuators are electro-magnets as are the injectors and any relays. Electro-magnets are everywhere, you just need to know where to look.
