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How are electromagnets different from regular magnets

2007-10-29 12:44:22 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics Other - Science

3 answers

magnets=rocks that have magnetic properties on their own
electromagnets= metal which has its electrons charged by electricity to produce a high-powered magnet effect

2007-10-29 12:48:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

An electromagnet is usually a coil of electric wire wrapped around a metallic core. There's a law of physics which states that magnetic fields run perpendicular to electric fields. So, passing electricity through the coil of wire produces a magnetic field around the metal core. This is an electromagnet. Turning off the electricity also turns off the magnet.

Gigantic electromagnets are sometimes used in junkyards to pickup shells of cars. Switch the magnet on. Pick up the car. Move it where you want it. Switch the magnet off to drop the car on the pile.

A regular magnet is some metal, typically iron, whose atoms are all aligned, meaning the positive sides point in one direction, and the negative sides point the other way. Regular magnets are permanent. They either occur naturally or are manufactured, but don't need electricity to work.

Regular magnets can be used to keep your cabinet doors shut. There's a metal tab on the door and magnet attached to the cabinet. The closed door stays shut because of the magnetic force.

What's really interesting is how magnets interact with electric fields:

Moving a magnet back an forth through a coil of wire will induce electricity in the wire. This is how a dynamo works. Attach the moving magnet to a waterwheel in a dam or a windmill and you've got a great supply of electricity.

Now, change the relationship a bit. Put a coil of wire around an immovable magnet, attach a paper cone to the coil, and then send electricity through the coil. The electricity in the coil will cause it to move with respect to the magnet, thereby moving the paper cone. You've got a speaker!

Now, make the contraption a little smaller. Talk into the paper cone so your voice causes it to vibrate, thereby moving the coil around the magnet. This induces electricity in the wire. You've got a microphone.

2007-10-29 13:03:26 · answer #2 · answered by Ego 6 · 0 0

Electro magnets are coils of wire around a steel or iron core.
They only exhibit magnetism while a direct current is applied.
Whereas, permanent magnets are magnetised all the time.

2007-10-29 12:49:10 · answer #3 · answered by Robert S 7 · 0 0

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