Electromagnets and Electric Motors PDF

Electromagnets How they work, and how to make them more powerful What is an electromagnet? An electromagnet is a temporary magnet made by wrapping wire around an iron core –When the electricity flows in the coil, the iron becomes a magnet. How does an electromagnet work? Basic Electroma...

Electromagnets How they work, and how to make them more powerful What is an electromagnet? An electromagnet is a temporary magnet made by wrapping wire around an iron core –When the electricity flows in the coil, the iron becomes a magnet. How does an electromagnet work? Basic Electromagnet Components Wire Ferromagnetic material, like iron (with the wire coiled around it) Source of electricity How does an electromagnet work? When wires have an electric current, they produce a magnetic field – Raising the voltage or current (amps) makes the magnetic field bigger/stronger. – These magnetic fields interact with permanent magnets and ferromagnetic materials, like iron How does an electromagnet work? Ferromagnetic materials, like iron, interact with magnetic fields When electricity flows through the coiled wire, an electromagnetic field is created – This electromagnetic field is made stronger by the ferromagnetic core How do you make an electromagnet more powerful? Wire – Thicker – Better conductor – More turns/coils Larger ferromagnetic core More electric current (amps) or voltage Which would be more powerful? Which would be more powerful? Electric Motors How they work, and how to make them more powerful What is an electric motor? An electric motor is a device that transforms electric energy into kinetic energy –It uses electromagnetism to do this! How do electric motors work? Basic Electric Motor Components Permanent Magnets Wire (usually coiled around a ferromagnetic material) Source of electricity Axle  How do electric motors work? When an electric current travels through the wires, an electromagnet is created. – This electromagnet will either have a North or South pole It then interacts with the permanent magnets on the outside, which causes the axle to rotate Video How do you make an electric motor more powerful? Bigger or more powerful magnets Wire – More coils – Better conductor More electric current (amps) or voltage Which electric motor would be more powerful? Which electric motor would be more powerful?