ELECTROMAGNET
OBJECTIVES
1. Describe how to make an electromagnet.
2. Describe how to change the strength of an
electromagnet.
3. Describe some uses of electromagnets
4. Explain why electromagnets are used instead of
permanent magnets
KEYWORDS
Electromagnet, electricity, core, coil. Relay, reed
switch, armature, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
scanner.
WHAT IS ELECTROMAGNET
When an electric current flows in a wire, it creates a
magnetic field around the wire. This effect can be
used to make an electromagnet.
An electromagnet can be made by passing electric
current through a coil of wire round a core connected
to a battery. A simple electromagnet comprises of a
length of wire turned into a coil and connected to a
battery or power supply.
Electromagnets work because when an electric
current is passed through a wire, a magnetic field is
produced. These magnetic field lines around the wire
as circles and get weaker as one gets further away
from the wire.
The iron core does not remain magnetized when the electromagnet
is turned off.
HOW TO VARY THE STRENGHT OF ELECTROMAGNET
The strength of an electromagnet depends on:
1. The numbers of turns or loops on the coil: Increase in the
turns of coil will make a stronger electromagnet
2. The current flowing in the wire: the more the current, the
stronger will be the electromagnet
3. The type of core: the use of magnetic material like soft iron
in the core will produce a stronger electromagnet.
NB
The current flowing in the wire depends on the power supplied
and the type of wire that is use in the electromagnet.
USES OF ELECTROMAGNET
Electromagnet is used in the following areas:
4. Switching on and off systems
5. Fire doors
6. Electric bells
7. Medicines for viewing the internal body
 USES OF ELECRTOMAGNETS
SWITCHING ON AND OFF SYSTEM
A soft iron core is useful when you want an electromagnet
to switch off rapidly. The switching off principle of
electromagnet is used in the following:
 Cranes: some cranes use electromagnet to pick up
scrap cars. They can let go of the car by turning off the
current.
Relay: a relay is a switch system that can be used in a
low –current circuit to turn on a high- voltage or high-
current circuit . A relay uses a small current in one circuit
to operate a switch in a separate high voltage or high
current circuit. A simple relay can be made with reed
switch.
The relay can be applied in the following:
• Motor started: the relay is used to turn on the started
motor in a car
• Radiography: the relay is used to turn on and off of x-ray
machine. Since the x-rays is dangerous to body cells when
exposed for too long, the relay is used to turn on and off
of the x-ray machine to avoid direct contact of the
radiographers
FIRE DOOR
Fire doors use electromagnets to close automatically.
Current flows in the coil of the electromagnet when there
is no fire, thereby attracting piece of iron on the door and
keeping the door open.
The circuit is broken when fire alarm is triggered. This stops
the flow of current in the coil of the electromagnet. Hence,
the door closes.
USE OF ELECTROMAGNET IN MEDICINE
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner uses magnets to
produce images of the inside of our bodies. It enables
doctors to take pictures of people’s organ.
THE ELECTRIC BELL
When the bell-switch is pressed, current passes through the
coil and the iron core is magnetized . The iron armature is
attracted to the core and the hammer eats the gong making
a sound . This breaks the circuit making the iron core to
demagnetized. The armature springs back repeating the
processes, so the bell keeps ringing for as long as the bell is
pressed.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ELECTROMAGNET AND A
PERMANENT MAGNET
There are two main differences between a magnet and a
permanent magnet
1. An electromagnet can be turned on and off but a
permanent magnet cannot
2. An electromagnet can be made to be more powerful than
a permanent magnet because its strength can be varied,
when the strength of a permanent magnet cannot be alter.
 Motor starter Crane Relay

Electric bell MRI Scanner Fire door