What is an electromagnet?
Q: What is an electromagnet?
A: An electromagnet is a temporary and artificial magnet that is only magnetic when there is a coil of wire with electricity running through it. The coil of wire is called a solenoid.
Q: How does the strength of an electromagnet vary?
A: The strength of the magnet is proportional to the current flowing in the circuit, so increasing the current will make the magnetism stronger.
Q: What particles are responsible for creating electricity?
A: Electricity running through a wire consists of negatively charged particles called electrons.
Q: Who invented the electromagnet?
A: British electrician William Sturgeon invented the electromagnet in 1825.
Q: What makes an electromagnet useful compared to permanent magnets?
A: An electromagnet is useful because it can be turned on and off easily (using an electric current), whereas a permanent magnet cannot be turned off and will continue to affect its immediate environment.
Q: How do you make an electromagnet?
A: To make an electromagnet, copper wire is wound around an iron rod. The two ends of the wire are connected to the + (positive) and - (negative) side of the battery.
Q: How do different alloys react differently when exposed to electromagnetic fields?
A: Iron stops being an electromagnet very quickly, but steel takes time to wear off.
