Electromagnets make use of the fact that when a current flows through a conductor, a magnetic field is created. The magnetic field is especially strong when we use a solenoid - the shape of this long coil concentrates the magnetic field in the space around the coil.
Effect of using a soft iron core
The soft iron core is used to strengthen the magnetic field created in the solenoid. The soft iron is:
- highly permeable
- easily magnetised, and thus demagnetised
Uses of electromagnets
Electromagnets are used in both industry and daily life:
- CAT scans
- Circuit breakers
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Magnetic door locks
- Relays
- Air conditioning (AC) units
- Electric bells