How do Electromagnets Work?

Electromagnets are devices that create a magnetic field via the application of electricity. It consists of a length of conductive wire such as copper that is wrapped around a piece of metal. When a current is introduced, from either a battery or another source of electricity, and flows through the wire, a magnetic field is generated around the coiled wire. As a result, this magnetizes the metal as if it were a permanent magnet. It is important to note that electromagnets are useful as you can turn the magnet on and off by completing or interrupting the circuit.

Before getting into how electromagnets work, you must understand how electromagnets differ from “permanent” magnets. As you may know, magnets have two poles, those of which are “north” and “south” poles, and they attract objects made of steel, iron, and other various materials. For instance, doorbells are a good example of how electromagnets can be implemented in applications where permanent magnets do not work. When a guest pushes a doorbell button, the electronic circuitry inside the doorbell closes an electrical loop, meaning that the circuit is “turned on.” The closed circuit allows electricity to flow, generating a magnetic field and magnetizing the metal clapper, which makes a chiming noise.

Prior to making their way into household applications, electromagnets have a history of other uses. The relationship between electricity and magnetism was not thoroughly studied until 1873 when physicist James Maxwell noted the interaction between positive and negative electrical charges. However, it is chemist and physicist Michael Faraday who is commended for building up Maxwell’s theories, serving as a pioneer in electromagnetism and discovering electromagnetic induction. Once their potential was discovered, electromagnets first found use in the design of controllable machinery.

Today, electromagnets are used in a variety of operations, and their construction is quite simple. Electromagnets consist of a conductive wire made of insulated copper that is wound around a metal rod. The wire typically gets hot to the touch, which is why insulation is paramount. Meanwhile, the rod on which the wire is wrapped is called a solenoid, and the generated magnetic field radiates away from this point. It is important to note that the strength of the magnet is directly related to the number of times the wire wraps around the rod. As such, if you desire a stronger magnetic field, the wire can be coiled more tightly.

In addition to how tightly the wire is wound, the material utilized for the core also has a vast effect on the strength of the magnet. For instance, a ferromagnetic metal like iron is highly permeable. Increased permeability is another way of outlining how well a material can support a magnetic field. As all matter is composed of atoms that are randomly arranged like in the case of the rod, the introduction of current relaigns the atoms. As a result, this realignment increases the strength of the magnetic field, allowing you to increase or decrease the level of current, thereby controlling the flow of electricity. By controlling the current, you can easily turn the magnet on and off.

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