Uses of Electromagnet

What is an Electromagnet?

An electromagnet is classified as a magnet that runs only on electricity. Unlike permanent magnets, the strength of an electromagnet can be conveniently changed by varying the amount of electric current that goes through it. The electromagnet poles can even be reversed by reversing the flow of electricity.

Now, how does an electromagnet work? It works on the principle of an electric current producing a magnetic field. This magnetic field is generated by an electric current that forms circles around the electric current.

If a wire is carrying an electric current is formed into a series of loops, the concentration of the magnetic field can be changed within the loops, by varying it. The magnetic field can be strengthened by wrapping the wire up and around the core of the magnet. The atoms of magnetic materials, such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, behave like tiny magnets.

When we increase the concentration of the magnetic field, the current that is flowing around the core increases and the number of aligned atoms increases which results in stronger a magnetic field Sooner or later, all of the atoms that are supposed to be aligned will be aligned. At this particular point when the atoms are aligned with each other, the magnet is said to be saturated, and it experiences an increasing electric current flowing around the core. This no longer affects the magnetization of the core itself.

How do Electromagnets Work?

There are four primary forces in physics, and one of them is called electromagnetism. It is a combination of two forces, electric forces, and magnetic forces. Let us see how these forces can contribute to the electromagnets.

These two forces are very different, but when they come together with the form of electromagnetic forces. They complement each other very well and is used in many days to day applications. 

The two essential elements that make up this force are charges like protons and electrons. When they are stationary, they produce electric forces, which can be attractive or repulsive forces between charged particles. But when electrons and protons are moving, they produce magnetic forces which can be a force of attraction or repulsion between the charged particles that are formed because of the motion of the charged particles.

When charges, like electrons or protons, are stationary, they produce electric forces or an attractive or repulsive force between charged particles. But when electrons or protons are moving, they generate magnetic forces or an attractive or repulsive force between charged particles due to their motion. 

Now, Where are these Electromagnets Used?

Let us take a look at the everyday conventional uses of electromagnets. Electromagnets can be used in powerful tools for lifting and other heavyweight instruments.

Unlike a regular magnet, you can switch on and off an electromagnet. They only work with n external power source. An electromagnets strength can be changed according to the amount of current flowing in the wires; it can be altered accordingly. Electromagnets are used by large Businesses that use machinery to do heavy lifting like lifting cars or to move it to another location or even by scrapyards to separate iron and other ferrous metals from nonferrous materials.

Japan is currently testing a 320 kilometer per hour (200 miles per hour) levitating train that uses electromagnets to hover and move around the entire place. The U.S. Navy also performs high tech experiments with a futuristic electromagnetic rail gun weapon. The Navy has also used an electromagnetic catapult that has been to launch planes off carrier decks.

Electromagnets and Induction

What is induction? It is the phenomenon that takes place when a wire that's near to a changing magnetic field produces electric current. Electric motors, transformers, and power generators all work because of this popular phenomenon called induction. Transformers are critical in this electrical transmission because they are used to step the voltage up or down as needed during its course to the consumers. Electric motors also have the ability to turn electric current into mechanical power in all manner of equipment. This includes toy cars, real cars, washing machines, and power tools. The power generators work like electric motors, but in the other way around: they turn rotary motion into electric power. The rotary motion can come from machinery like windmills, steam turbines or any other sources.

Electromagnets Used in Other Common Devices

Although you may never see some electromagnets, they are often hidden in many electronic products you use in your day to day life. Press a doorbell, for example, and the electric current creates a magnetic field that attracts a ringer which strikes the bell. Relays are individual electromagnets that usually function like automatic electrical switches. They are found in a variety of consumer and commercial applications, such as TVs, computers, cars, elevators and copy machines. Few of the most powerful magnets in the world exist in MRI machines. Resembling a doughnut, an MRI electromagnet scans patients to create pictures doctors can evaluate.