Electromagnets

• An electromagnet uses an electrical current to generate a magnetic field
• • There are three ways to strengthen an electromagnet:
  • increasing electrical current
  • increasing the number of turns of the coil
  • adding an iron core
• A coil of wire with many turns is called a solenoid.
• Electromagnets are used in automatic door locks, headphones, scrap yard cranes and even to make magnetic, levitating trains
• Electromagnets can be switched on and off. They are only magnets while current is flowing though the coil. Electromagnets can be made stronger or weaker
• There are three main ways to increase the strength of an electromagnet.

  1. Using more turns on the coil of wire will produce a stronger magnetic field.
  2. A greater current will produce a stronger magnetic field.
  3. 3.Adding a soft iron core increases the strength of an electromagnet