The difference between a permanent magnet and an electromagnet?

Question

What is the difference between a permanent magnet and an electromagnet?
What is the relationship between the direction of magnetic field generated and the electric field?
How can you increase the magnetic field generated?

Answer 1

Iron can be magnetized by allowing it to reside in a magnetic field. The field must not be alternating. It must be a static field and the softer the iron is the more susceptable to being magnetized. A permanent magnetic is one created in a magnetic field and then removed and used for its residual magnetism. The residual magnetism results from molecules in the magnet being aligned by the magnetic field.

An electomagnet is an iron structure surrounded by coils of wire which when connected to an electrical current source produces the magnetic field. When the current is stopped through the coils of wire the magnetic field decreases very much and little residual magnetism is left.

Magnetic and electric fields are at right angles from each other or 90 degrees.

The magnetic field can be increased by increasing the current flow through the coils of wire or by increasing the number of turns of the coil.

Answer 2

A permanent magnet is one that has a magnetic attraction without any outside stimulation, while an electromagnet has a coil winding around it. When electricity passes through the coil, it causes a magnet field around the iron/steel piece. The electric field is relatively small whereas the electromagnetic field can be quite large. Depends on the size of the metal and the amount of electricity going through the coils. An increase in the magnetic field generated as stated above.

Answer 3

A "hard" or "permanent" magnet is one which stays magnetized for a long time, such as magnets often used on refrigerator doors. Where as, a "soft" or "impermanent" magnet is one which loses its memory of previous magnetizations.and often used in electromagnets to enhance the magnetic field of a wire that carries an electrical current and is wrapped around the magnet.

Answer 4

permanent magnet has a magnetic field that is not dependent on external power source. elctromagnet has its field generated by applying an electrical current to increase the power of an elctromagnet you increase the number of windings around the iron core. see also electric motors and electrical polarity as it applies to electromagnets.

Answer 5

A magnetic field circulates around the axis of a wire with current flowing in it......the direction is orthogonal to the flow of current.

Increase the B field by increasing the current.