Electro Magnets

Magnetic field When electricity passes through a wire it creates a small magnetic field. If a compass is held next to a circuit, the needle will move when the circuit is turned on and off.

Magnetic field shape Depending on the way the current is flowing, the magnetic field flows around the wire as shown. Magnetic field Wire

Magnetic fields in a wire In a wire that is in any shape, the magnetic fields do not pass in the same direction. It does not create any significant magnetic force.

Electro magnet When a wire is coiled around a piece of metal the magnetic fields pass in the same direction. This makes the metal magnetic.                                                                             

Magnetic particles The metal becomes magnetic because the particles in the metal that are usually pointing in random directions are moved by the magnetic field produced by the wire.

On and off The benefits of an electromagnet are that it can be turned on and off. When it is turned off, the magnetic force takes time to disappear.

How to make it stronger Current Turns of wire Material of the core

Uses