Magnets and Electromagnets

Magnets and Electromagnets

Magnets have two poles, north and south. Like poles repel, opposite poles attract. This force acts through a magnetic field surrounding the magnet.

Permanent vs induced magnets

A permanent magnet (like a bar magnet) always has a magnetic field. An induced magnet (like a paperclip near a magnet) only becomes magnetic when placed in a magnetic field, and loses it when removed.

Electromagnets

Passing an electric current through a coil of wire creates a magnetic field — this is an electromagnet, and its strength can be increased by adding more coils or increasing the current.

Practice

Name two ways to make an electromagnet stronger.