Electromagnet Uses

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

Magnets

Magnets are materials which have the ability to generate a magnetic field in the space around them. This invisible magnetic field of magnets is essential for the magnet’s numerous properties.

A magnet is an object or material which generates a magnetic field. This magnetic field is undetectable, although it is accountable for a magnet’s most notable property: a force which attracts or repels other ferromagnetic materials such as iron, steel, nickel, cobalt, and others.

The above are some of the most important qualities of magnets:

The magnet’s endpoints have two poles, that are referred to as the north and south poles.

Two poles that are similar repel each other, whereas two poles that are dissimilar attract each other.

If a magnet is allowed to move around in the atmosphere, it always points north- south.

The magnet’s magnetic force attracts ferromagnetic elements such as iron, steel, nickel, and others.

If a magnet comes into touch with ferromagnetic material or fillings, the fillings are attracted to the end poles and aggregate.

Electromagnetism

The technique of creating a magnetic field by putting current into a conductor is referred to as electromagnetism. Whenever a conductor is electrically charged, it produces magnetic lines of force. It is for this reason that electrons are connected to the nucleus and are responsible for the structure of the nucleus as a whole.

Types of Magnets 

There are three types of magnets in general:

Temporary magnets

Temporary magnets are magnets which get magnetised if they come into contact with the magnetic field of the magnet and then lose their magnetic properties when the magnetic field is removed. Temporary magnets include things like iron nails and paper clips.

Permanent magnets

A permanent magnet is an object made consisting of magnetised materials which produces a magnetic field that lasts. This magnet maintains its magnetism and magnetic characteristics for a longer period of time. It can be created in a variety of ways. The iron can be hammered constantly in a north-south direction.

The hysteresis curve can be used to choose the permanent magnet material. A permanent magnet’s material must have both high retentivity and high coercivity such that magnetization is not lost due to stray magnetic fields, temperature variations, or mechanical damage. In addition, the material must have a high permeability. Because of its low retentivity and high permeability, steel is the most used material for permanent magnets. Since permanent magnets do not lose their magnetic characteristics once they have been magnetised, they are widely employed.

Electromagnets 

Electromagnets are formed whenever a metallic wire is wrapped around a soft iron core and generates a magnetic field in its surroundings due to the passage of electric current. With changing electric current, the magnetic field’s strength can be altered.

If there is an electric current flowing through the core, it produces a magnetic field, but if there is no electric current flowing through it, it loses its magnetic field. Electromagnets can be easily made by winding a coil of metallic wire (such as copper) around a soft iron core. When there is an electric current going through it, it acts like a magnet.

Types of Electromagnets 

Electromagnets are classified into three categories:

Resistant 

With copper wires, resistive magnets can create a magnetic field, however it is a weak magnetic field.

Superconductors

By decreasing the electrical resistance, superconducting magnets may generate a magnetic field.

Hybrid 

Resistant and superconducting magnets are coupled in hybrid electromagnets.

Advantages of Electromagnets 

Electromagnets provide a number of advantages, with a few of the most prominent ones listed below:

The strength of the magnetic field may be altered using an electric current, which is electromagnets’ main advantage.

Electromagnets can be turned on and off as the electric current is turned on and off.

By changing the direction of the electric current, the poles of electromagnets can be altered.

It’s a more powerful magnet that can handle huge currents.

It is largely used in industrial applications owing to its special features.

Disadvantages of Electromagnets 

The following are some of the most significant disadvantages of electromagnets:

It takes a lot of electricity.

They heat up quite quickly.

It really can store a lot of energy in its magnetic field and then release it when the electric current supply is cut off.

Uses of Electromagnets 

Control switches in relays use electromagnets.

MRI machines use it.

Spacecraft propulsion systems use this material.

It is employed in the magnetic separation process.

Electric motors and generators use this material.

Applications of Electromagnetism

Electromagnets offer a wide range of applications. The following is an overview of the operating principles of some of the most essential devices in a few key areas of application: communications, research, electrical industry, and magnetic recording.

The reed relay is used in modern telephone networks, along with solid-state circuits for sophisticated connection routing. The telephone receiver is essentially an electromagnet with a U-shaped yoke wound with coils on each leg. The magnetic attraction of a soft-iron diaphragm supported a short distance from the ends of the U is caused by the electrical signal passing through the coils.

Magnetic fields are an important research tool which without modern physics would not have progressed as far as it has. The interaction of magnetic fields and charged subatomic particles is a prominent application area. An electric current is a moving particle which contains a charge, such as an electron, and it experiences a force in a magnetic field, similar to a current-carrying wire.

As computer information is composed of a series of electrical pulses of uniform amplitude, it is particularly straightforward to store on magnetic media. The tape’s material requirements are less severe than that for audio recording, with the most significant aspect being that it does not demagnetize unexpectedly. Many computers now use magnetic alloy discs which revolve under the recording head to replace tape storage.

Procedure for turning off an electromagnet

The magnetic field surrounding an electromagnet is identical to that surrounding a bar magnet. It is, perhaps, possible to rectify the situation simply by flipping the battery around. Despite permanent magnets like bar magnets, electromagnets’ magnetism can be turned on and off simply by closing or opening the switch.

Conclusion

A magnet is a substance or object that generates a magnetic field. This undetectable magnetic field is responsible for the magnet’s most notable property: attracting or repelling other ferromagnetic materials such as iron, steel, nickel, cobalt, and others. If a metallic wire is coiled around a soft iron core and a magnetic field is generated in its vicinity due to the passage of electric current, electromagnets are made. The magnetic field’s strength can be changed by changing the electric current.