Electromagnets

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Table of Contents

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

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