Download How Does an Electromagnet Work?

How Does an Electromagnet
Work?
What is a Magnet?
• An object that attracts certain metals,
mainly iron
• Magnetism decreases with distance from
an object
•Permanent magnets- keep their magnetism
for a long time
•Temporary magnets- lose their magnetism
after a short time
Magnetic Fields
The space in which a magnetic force can act is called a magnetic field.
Magnetic Poles- two areas of on a magnet in which the magnetic force is the
greatest.
The Earth as a Magnet
The Earth behaves like a giant sized bar magnet. The center of the Earth is made
up of iron. When the Earth spins, the iron particles line up creating a gigantic
magnetic field.
Electricity and Magnetism
•Electricity can produce magnetism
•Magnetism can produce electricity
•Together, magnetism and electricity, can produce
energy of motion
•An electromagnet is a strong temporary magnet
that uses electricity to produce magnetism. You use
them everyday in blow dryers and video games.
How Does Electricity Produce
Magnetism?
-An electric current passes through a wire
or other conductor
-The current produces a weak magnetic
field around the wire
-If the wire is wrapped around iron, the
iron becomes magnetized
-This makes the magnetic field stronger
Using Electromagnets
Magnets
Attract materials
made of iron
Have magnetic fields
Electromagnets
Attract materials
made of iron
Have magnetic fields
Magnetic force can be
controlled
Electromagnets
• Increasing the number of wire coils or the amount of
current through coils increases the STRENGTH
• Can be small and strong
• Can be turned on and off
• Cranes, MRIs, and the Bullet Train are useful
electromagnets
•Electromagnets are in blenders, computers, and doorbells
Brainpop- Electromagnets