1. Electromagnets How they work, and how to make them more powerful
© Dominic McCamish 2015

2. What is an electromagnet?
An electromagnet is a temporary magnet made by wrapping wire around an iron core
When the electricity flows in the coil, the iron becomes a magnet.

3. How does an electromagnet work?
Basic Electromagnet Components
Wire
Ferromagnetic material, like iron (with the wire coiled around it)
Source of electricity

4. How does an electromagnet work?
When wires have an electric current, they produce a magnetic field
Raising the voltage or current (amps) makes the magnetic field bigger/stronger.
These magnetic fields interact with permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials, like iron

5. How does an electromagnet work?
Ferromagnetic materials, like iron, interact with magnetic fields
When electricity flows through the coiled wire, an electromagnetic field is created
This electromagnetic field is made stronger by the ferromagnetic core

6. How do you make an electromagnet more powerful?
Wire
Thicker
Better conductor
Larger ferromagnetic core
More electric current (amps) or voltage

7. Which would be more powerful?

8. Which would be more powerful?