Electromagnet and Permanent Magnet

An electromagnet is a device that consists of a magnetic core encircled by a coil through which an electric current is carried to magnetise the core. Wherever controllable magnets are required, such as in devices where the magnetic flux must be adjusted, reversed, or switched on and off, an electromagnet is utilised.

Permanent magnets are materials in which the magnetic field is created by the material’s internal structure. Both electrons and the nucleus of the atom can be found inside atoms and crystals.

Electromagnet

An electromagnet is a magnet that generates its magnetic field using an electric current. Electromagnets are made from wire twisted into a coil. A current flowing through the wire produces a magnetic field that is focused in the hole, which serves as the coil’s centre. When the current is switched off, the magnetic field vanishes. 

The major benefit of an electromagnet over a permanent magnet is the ability to vary the magnetic field fast by adjusting the amount of electric current in the winding. An electromagnet, on the other hand, requires a constant supply of electricity to sustain the magnetic field, unlike a permanent magnet, which does not require any power. The wire turns are usually twisted around a magnetic core made of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material like iron, which concentrates the magnetic flux and makes the magnet stronger.

Other electrical devices, such as motors, generators, electromechanical solenoids, relays, loudspeakers, hard drives, MRI machines, scientific instruments, and magnetic separation equipment, all uses electromagnets. In industry, electromagnets are used to pick up and move heavy iron objects such as scrap iron and steel.

Applications of Electromagnets

A lifting magnet is an example of a portable electromagnet that is designed to simply hold material in place. A tractive electromagnet moves things by applying a force. Electromagnets are employed in a variety of electric and electromechanical devices, such as: Generators and motors, Transformers, Relays, Buzzers and electric bells, Headphones and loudspeakers, Actuators such as valves are examples of actuators. Tape recorders, VCRs, and hard discs are examples of magnetic recording and data storage equipment. MRI scanners, Mass spectrometers are examples of scientific equipment. Accelerators for particles, Locks using magnets, Pickups for musical instruments.

Permanent Magnet

Permanent magnets are materials in which the magnetic field is created by the material’s internal structure. Both electrons and the nucleus of the atom can be found inside atoms and crystals. Both the nuclei and the electrons act as small magnets, spinning chunks of electric charge, with magnetic fields built into the particles. The orbits of the electrons as they move around the nucleus generate a magnetic field as well. As a result, the magnetic fields of permanent magnets are the summation of nuclear spins, electron spins, and electron orbits. Magnetic fields in many materials flow in all directions at random and cancel each other out, so there is no permanent magnetism. Furthermore, with ferromagnetic materials, all of the electrons’ spins and orbits align, causing the materials to become magnetic. This is your typical iron, cobalt, and nickel combination. Permanent magnets are controlled by the material’s structure. A permanent magnet’s strongest magnetic field is around 8,000 gauss. The Magnet Lab’s strongest magnets are45,000 gauss, which is over 50times stronger than that.

Difference between magnet and electromagnet

The magnetic field of an Electromagnet is created by a wire-wound coil, whereas the magnetic field of a Permanent (Bar) Magnet cannot be changed. The material used in the creation of a Permanent Magnet determines its strength. but the strength of an Electromagnet is determined by the flow of electric current through it. Permanent magnets are classified as ceramic magnets, flexible magnets, Neodymium iron boron magnets, and Samarium cobalt magnets. (Bar) magnets. Each one has its own set of uses and types.

Electromagnets are magnetised indefinitely whereas permanent magnets  are magnetized for a limited time. Electromagnets made of hard materials.

whereas permanent magnets are made of soft materials.

The magnetic field line’s strength of Electromagnet is fixed, i.e. it cannot be changed.

The magnetic field lines’ strength of permanent magnet   can be adjusted to suit our needs.

A permanent magnet’s poles cannot be adjusted.

An electromagnet’s poles can be changed.

A Bar Magnet is a perfect example  of a permanent magnet.

A solenoid wound across a nail and connected to a battery is an example of a temporary magnet.

Conclusion

An electromagnet is a device that consists of a magnetic core encircled by a coil through which an electric current is carried to magnetise the core. Permanent magnets are materials with a magnetic field formed by the intrinsic structure of the substance. An electromagnet is a magnet that generates its magnetic field using an electric current. The major benefit of an electromagnet over a permanent magnet is the ability to vary the magnetic field fast by adjusting the amount of electric current in the winding. Permanent magnets are materials in which the magnetic field is created by the material’s internal structure.