Electromagnets Flashcards

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What is an electromagnet?

A coil of wire with a soft iron core that becomes a magnet when current flows. It can be turned on and off.

What is a solenoid?

A long coil of wire. When current flows, it makes a magnetic field like a bar magnet.

Give three ways to make an electromagnet stronger.

Increase the current, add more turns of wire per metre, and use a soft iron core.

Why is a soft iron core used in an electromagnet?

It makes the magnetic field stronger and loses magnetism when the current stops, so it switches off quickly.

How can you reverse the poles of an electromagnet?

Reverse the direction of the current by swapping the battery connections.

What is the magnetic field like inside a solenoid?

It is strong and almost the same strength everywhere, and it points along the coil.

Give one advantage of an electromagnet over a permanent magnet.

You can switch it on and off and change its strength by changing the current.

How does a relay use an electromagnet to switch a circuit?

A small current flows in the coil and makes a magnet. It pulls an iron arm and closes contacts in another circuit, turning a bigger current on.

How does an electric bell work?

Press the switch to send current through the coil. The electromagnet pulls an iron arm and the hammer hits the bell. The contact breaks, current stops, a spring pulls the arm back, and the cycle repeats quickly.

How can you find the north pole of a solenoid?

Use the right-hand grip rule. Curl your fingers the way the current goes around the coil; your thumb points to the north pole.