Electromagnets

An Essay
What are Electromagnets and how do Electromagnets create Electricity?
Its a simple enough question. However the answer may be a little more
complicated than you may think. Lets review.
As youre already likely aware, Electricity is all things associated with Electric
Charge. Electric Charge is a physical property of matter that causes it to experience
a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. As you probably know, there are
two types of electric charges: Positive and negative. Positive charges attract to
negative charges, and vice versa, but repel from similar charges.
Now, Electromagnetism on the other hand, is something completely different. Let
me explain. Electromagnetism is the study of what is called Electromagnetic
force. Electromagnetic force is a kind of physical interaction which occurs between
particles that are electrically charged. The electromagnetic force usually comes in
the form of electromagnetic fields.

Now, as you may or may not be aware, a magnet is an object that uses
whats called a magnetic field, in order to attract ferromagnetic materials.
Now, a magnetic field is the influence of magnetic things. Essentially, its
what makes the magnet pull and push, or attract and repel, respectively.
Now, ferromagnetism is a mechanism in which materials are pulled by, or
attracted to magnets. Ferromagnetism is also a process in which materials
become magnets.
When you put these two things together, you get what is called Electromagnetic
Induction. Electromagnetic Induction is like the production of an electromotive force
across a conductor when its exposed to a varying magnetic field. Its sometimes
mathematically described as Fordays law of induction, named for Michael Faraday,
who is-.generally credited with the discovery of induction in 1831. Electromagnetic
induction is also used to create Electric power during the manufacturing of electric
transformers. The current loop in a wire changes from the magnetic field to a new
one. A second wire in reach of this magnetic field will experience this change in
magnetic field as a change in its magnetic flux. Therefore, an electromotive force is
set up in the second loop called the induced EMF or EMF transformer. If the two
ends of the loop are connected to an electrical load, current will flow.
Now, as for what electromagnets are used for. They can be found in various
everyday electronics and are also used for industrial purposes. First off, there are
motors and generators. The discovery of electromagnetism made possible the
invention of electric motors and generators. Both of these are functioning on whats

called electromagnetic induction. Now, Ive gone over this before, but
electromagnetic induction essentially takes advantage of the fact that electrical
currents create magnetic fields, and vice versa. This is basically how electric motors
and generators work. In any electrical appliance, the motor is moved by the
magnetic field produced by the electric current.
Secondly, there are many practical, industrial uses. Only materials made of iron,
nickel, cobalt or their allies, or naturally occurring minerals respond to a magnetic
field. This proves to be very useful. One use is sorting metals. Since the elements
mentioned are very commonly used in manufacturing, using an electromagnet is an
effective way to sort these metals out. Trains in Europe and Asia use electromagnets
to levitate their cars in a process known as Electromagnetic Levitation. Oh, for
reference, I should probably go a little bit into Magnetic Levitation, since were on
the subject. Magnetic Levitation Trains are now arguably the travel method of the
future, but how exactly do these trains work? In order to explain, there are a few
basic concepts about Magnetism that you need to know.
As youre likely aware, Magnetism is a force in which materials (given they have
magnetic properties) attract and repel each other. You probably also know that a
magnetic field is the space in which this happens. What is magnetic levitation? Well,
in short, Magnetic Levitation, or just simply Mag Lev, is when an object is suspended
using nothing other than magnetic fields. The magnetic force is used to counter act
the effects of gravitational acceleration. Gravitational Acceleration is the
acceleration on something caused by Gravitation.
Heres how it works. Magnetic materials can attract and repel each other with force
that is dependent on not only the magnetic field itself, but also the area of the
magnets. For example, the simplest representation of this would be one magnet
positioned in the magnetic field of another magnet, with like poles facing each
other, the force would repel the two magnets, and this causes the lift.
Now, as for what magnetic levitation trains are. Its a method of transport that, as
the name implies, utilizes magnetic levitation to move without actually touching the
ground. This reduces friction, therefore, being able to increase speed.
How it works is simple. The train levitates above a steel rail while electromagnets,
which are attached to the train, are oriented towards the rail from below. This is
called Electromagnetic suspension. Some trains are also run with whats called
Electro-dynamic suspension, or just EDS. EDS is when both the guide way, as well
as the train exerts a magnetic field. The train is levitated by the force between the
magnetic fields. These are just a few of the many ways that Electromagnets are
beneficial to modern living.