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An electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is induced by a

flow of electric current. The magnetic field disappears when the current ceases. The

simplest type of electromagnet is a coil of wire. A coil forming the shape of a straight

tube (similar to a corkscrew) is called a solenoid; a solenoid bent so that the ends meet

is a toroid. Much stronger magnetic fields can be produced if a "core" of paramagnetic

or ferromagnetic material (commonly iron) is placed inside the coil. The field produced

by the coil causes the iron to magnetize and generate a field of its own. This field can

be hundreds or thousands of times stronger than that of the coil itself.

The strength of the magnetic field produced by such an electromagnet depends on

the number of coils of wire, the magnitude of the current, and the magnetic permeability

of the core material; a strong field can be produced from a small current if a large

number of turns of wire are used. Unlike the materials from which permanent magnets

are made, the soft iron in the core of an electromagnet retains little of the magnetism

induced in it by the current after the current has been turned off. This property makes it

more useful than a permanent magnet in many applications.

The strength of an electromagnet is

i. Directly proportional to the number of turns in the coil. 

ii. Directly proportional to the current flowing in the coil. 

iii. Inversely proportional to the length of air gap between the poles.



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To study the factors that influences the strength of an electromagnet.



What are the factors that can affect the strength of an electromagnet?

 

i) The higher the current, the higher the strength of an electromagnet.

ii) The strength of an electromagnet increases as the number of turns increases.

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(i) A soft iron rod

(ii) An ammeter
(iii) Steel pins (100 pins)
(iv) Connecting wires
(v) A d.c power supply
(vi) A rheostat
(vii) Paper board


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1. A coil of 30 turns of insulated copper wire was made on an iron rod. The two
ends of the copper wire were connected to a 7V d.c power supply.
2. The power supply was switched on and the rheostat was adjusted until the
ammeter reading shows 1A.
3. The iron was lowered to the steel pins on the paper board.
4. The number of steel pins attracted to the lower end of the iron rod was recorded.
5. The experiment was repeated using different values of current, I (1.5A, 2.0A, 2.5
A, 3.0 A and 3.5 A).

"#) 

#%&%'"%!

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1. A coil of 20 turns of insulated copper wire was made on an iron rod.

2. The ends of the copper wire were connected to a 7V d.c power supply.
3. The power supply was switched on and the rheostat was adjusted until the
current I, is 2.0 A.
4. The iron rod was lowered to the steel pins on the paper board.
5. The number of steel pins attracted to the lower end of the iron rod was recorded.
6. The experiment was repeated using N= 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 turns of copper wire.





Activity 1

 
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1.0 A 2

1.5 A 3

2.0 A 5

2.5 A 10

3.0 A 14

3.5 A 20

Activity 2

 
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!

70 23

60 20

50 14

40 8

30 3

20 2


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1) After conducting the experiment, we can conclude that the strength of current will

affect the strength of electromagnet. When the current is increased, the number of steel

pins attracted to the iron rod will increase. The numbers of turns of copper coil also

increases the strength of electromagnet. When the numbers of turns of copper coil

increases, more steel pins will be attracted to the iron rod.

2) Below is the precaution that must be taken during the experiment:

a) The ammeter that used should be checked and corrected for their

zero errors. We can avoid parallax error by placing the eye such that

the line of view is perpendicular to the scale of ammeter.

b) Make sure all the connection of the of the circuit is complete and must

be secure.

c) The power supply needs to be switched off when we want to repeat

the experiment to prevent overheating to the insulated copper wire.

So the experiment will be conducted very well.

d) The winding of the insulated copper wire to the iron rod must be

tight increase the strength of electromagnet.


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1. From the two activities what is the conclusion?

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2. Based on the graph for activity 2, find the number of steel pins if your number of turns
is 55.

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3. Explain other factors that can influence the strength of an electromagnet.

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i) The higher the current, the higher the strength of an electromagnet.

ii) The strength of an electromagnet increases as the number of turns increases.

The hypothesis is accepted.


 

Jezek, G.(2006). Magnetism. Êetrieved August 17, 2010, from How Magnet
Work? : http://www.howmagnetswork.com/Electromagnetism.html

Hoadley,Ê. (2010, May 29). What Is electromagnet? Êetrieved August 17, 2010,
from Magnet Man: http://www.coolmagnetman.com/magindex.htm