Electromagnet Investigation

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Electromagnets Coursework

By Samantha price

What is a electromagnet

Planning

An electromagnet consists of an iron core with a wire wrapped round it and current

flowing through the wire  

A conductor carrying a current (I) induces a magnetic field.

        This due to the fact that moving charges induces magnetism and the current consists of moving (e )

What are they used for?

Electromagnets are widely used in technology and are the essential components of relays and circuit breakers. Electromagnets are also used in electromagnetic clutches and brakes. In some streetcars, electromagnetic brakes grip directly onto the rails. Very large electromagnets having cores several meters in diameter are used in cyclotrons, and high-power electromagnets are used to lift iron parts or scrap.

This was Found From Encarta

This has helped me so now I see a point in the experiment.  Also people who use the high-powered electromagnet would need to know how to get it high powered.  Keeping in mind current costs money so they may choose to use another way with a lower current.

About Electromagnets

(Core)

The iron core in an electromagnet is full of magnetic domains, which are randomly pointing anywhere therefore cancelling them out. When an electric current is passed through the coil; this induces a strong magnetic field. The iron core is then placed in this field; causing the domains to point in one direction (The direction of the field.)  When the domains are pointing in one direction a magnet is made. The strength magnetic field produced by the solenoid is then increased greatly.   The higher the current passing through the coil the stronger the magnetic field this is because there will be more electrons (e ) moving there will be.

Without being placed in magnetic field.

With being placed in a magnetic field.

(Solenoid coil)

If the double the amount of turns we will get double the amount of electrons moving in that location or area, increasing the magnetic field because of smaller individual magnetic field will merge making a tug of war effect. However increasing turns will not increase current.

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Experiment

I could either do about

  1. How the amount of current passed through the coil affects the strength of magnetic field.
  2. How the amount of turns affects the strength of magnetic field

I am going to do How the amount of current passed through the coil affects the strength of magnetic because I think the results will be more clearer as current is easier to determined than amounts of turns.

Aim

To ...

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