Magnets and electromagnets are two different materials that produce magnetic fields, both are commonly used in applications such as motors, generators, and hard drives. However, they differ in their underlying principles and properties.
So, what are the main differences between a permanent magnet and an electromagnet?
Magnetism is a force of nature that results from the movement of charged particles, and a magnet is a material that produces a magnetic field around itself, which can attract or repel other magnets or magnetic materials.
What is a Permanent Magnet?
The most common type of magnet is a permanent magnet, made of ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, and cobalt. A permanent magnet retains its magnetisation and produces a magnetic field continuously without an external energy source.
What is an Electromagnet?
Whereas an electromagnet is a type of magnet that produces a magnetic field using an electric current, electromagnets consist of a coil wire wrapped around a core made of ferromagnetic material.
When an electric current flows through the wire, it will create a magnetic field around the coil, that can attract or repel other magnets or magnetic materials. The strength of the magnetic field depends on the amount of current flowing through the wire and the number of turns in the coil.
What Are The Differences Between Magnets & Electromagnets?
There are a few key differences between permanent magnets and electromagnets, one of these being that the magnetic field of a permanent magnet is always present, while the magnetic field of an electromagnet can be turned on and off by controlling the flow of electric current.
This property makes electromagnets extremely useful in several applications, such as relays, switches, and lifting magnets. For example, an electromagnet will be used to lift heavy objects like scrap metal, by turning on the current to create a strong magnetic field, and then turning it off to release the object.
Another difference between magnets and electromagnets is their strength, while permanent magnets can produce a strong magnetic field, they have limited strength due to the inherent properties of ferromagnetic materials.
Electromagnets on the other hand can produce a much stronger magnetic field by increasing the amount of current flowing through the coil, making electromagnets useful in applications that require a strong magnetic field, such as MRI machines and particle accelerators.
Summary
While both magnets and electromagnets produce magnetic fields, they differ in their underlying principles and properties.
A permanent magnet produces a magnetic field without an external energy source, while an electromagnet produces a magnetic field by using an electric current. Electromagnets can also be turned on and off and produce a much stronger magnetic field than permanent magnets.
Understanding the differences between magnets and electromagnets is essential in selecting the appropriate material for a given application.
