Electromagnets

Front

Electromagnet Noun

---

[uh-lek-troh-mag-net]

Back

Electromagnet

---

A type of magnet created when an electric current flows through a coil of wire, often wrapped around a metal core.

---

Example: This diagram shows how an electric current flowing through a coil of wire creates a magnetic field, forming a temporary magnet called an electromagnet.

Front

Electromagnetism Noun

---

[uh-lek-troh-mag-nuh-tiz-uhm]

Back

Electromagnetism

---

The fundamental interaction between electricity and magnetism, where electric currents are observed to produce magnetic fields.

---

Example: Passing an electric current from a battery through a wire coiled around an iron bar aligns its magnetic domains, creating a temporary magnet with north and south poles.

Front

Solenoid Noun

---

[soh-luh-noid]

Back

Solenoid

---

A long coil of wire consisting of many loops that creates a uniform magnetic field inside it when carrying an electric current.

---

Example: When electric current (I) flows through a coil of wire (a solenoid), it generates a magnetic field, turning the coil into an electromagnet.

Front

Magnetic Field Noun

---

[mag-net-ik feeld]

Back

Magnetic Field

---

A region of influence around a current-carrying wire or magnetic material where a magnetic force can be detected.

---

Example: This diagram shows the invisible magnetic field around a bar magnet. The lines, flowing from the North (N) to the South (S) pole, represent the direction of the magnetic force.

Front

Electric Current Noun

---

[uh-lek-trik kur-uhnt]

Back

Electric Current

---

The rate of flow of electric charge, typically electrons, through a conductive material such as a wire.

---

Example: A battery provides energy to push charged particles through a closed path of an electrical conductor, creating an electric current that powers a light bulb.

Front

Coil Noun

---

[koil]

Back

Coil

---

A conductive wire, such as copper, wound into a series of loops to concentrate the magnetic field produced by a current.

---

Example: This diagram shows a wire wrapped in a series of loops (a coil) around an iron nail, a key component for creating a simple electromagnet.

Front

Core Noun

---

[kor]

Back

Core

---

A piece of magnetic material, like iron, placed inside a solenoid to significantly increase the strength of the resulting electromagnet.

---

Example: This diagram shows an iron core, which is a ferromagnetic material placed inside a coil of wire to greatly increase the strength of an electromagnet.

Front

Magnetic Domains Noun

---

[mag-net-ik doh-mayns]

Back

Magnetic Domains

---

Microscopic regions within a magnetic material where the magnetic fields of individual atoms are aligned in the same direction.

---

Example: In an unmagnetized material, magnetic domains point in random directions. When an external magnetic field is applied, the domains align, making the material magnetic.

Front

Relay Noun

---

[ree-lay]

Back

Relay

---

An electrically operated switch that uses a small current in an electromagnet to open or close a separate, high-power circuit.

---

Example: This image shows a physical model of an electromagnetic relay, which uses a small current in a coil (electromagnet) to move a switch (armature).

Front

Maglev Noun

---

[mag-lev]

Back

Maglev

---

A transportation system that uses powerful electromagnets to levitate and propel a vehicle, such as a train, eliminating friction.

---

Example: This image shows a Maglev train floating above its track. A magnified view explains that an upward magnetic force perfectly balances the train's downward weight.