Electromagnets (Oxford AQA IGCSE Combined Science Double Award)

Revision Note

Electromagnets

  • A solenoid can be used as an electromagnet by adding a soft iron core

  • The iron core will become an induced magnet when current is flowing through the coils 

    • The magnetic field produced by the solenoid and the iron core will create a much stronger magnet overall

  • The magnetic field produced by the electromagnet can be switched on and off

    • When the current is flowing there will be a magnetic field produced around the electromagnet

    • When the current is switched off there will be no magnetic field produced around the electromagnet

Electromagnet diagram

Arrows on the wire indicate the direction of the current, for IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes
An electromagnet consists of a solenoid wrapped around a soft iron core
  • Changing the direction of the current also changes the direction of the magnetic field produced by the iron core

Factors affecting magnetic field strength

  • The strength of the magnetic field produced around a solenoid can be increased by:

    • Increasing the size of the current which is flowing through the wire

    • Increasing the number of coils

    • Adding an iron core through the centre of the coils

  • The strength of an electromagnet can be changed by:

    • Increasing the current to increase the magnetic field produced around the electromagnet

    • Decreasing the current to decrease the magnetic field produced around the electromagnet

Examiner Tips and Tricks

When trying to figure out how an electromagnetic device works:

  • Look for a coil or solenoid - this is going to act as an electromagnet

  • Look for a piece of iron - this will be attracted to the solenoid

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