Science 5
Quarter 3 – Module 6: Factors Affecting the Strength of an Electromagnet
Discussion:
A magnet - is a material that can attract metallic objects such as steel, nickel, cobalt, and most especially,
iron. This property of magnets can be described as magnetism. This attraction happens because magnets
have two ends that have opposite characteristics – the North and South poles. Hence, magnets follow
the fundamental law that opposites attract and like poles repel. Microscopically, the molecules in
magnets are arranged in a certain order. When the polarities of the molecules are aligned, that all the
north poles point in one direction, that piece of material is said to be magnetized. The effect of the
magnetized piece is that its magnetic fields make a kind of circuit that enters at one end and exits at the
other. This idea is graphically shown in Figure 1 below.
Below shows how the said orientation of molecules creates a magnet:
However, not all materials or metals are magnetic. Sometimes, they have to be combined with other
materials to create a magnetic effect. The simple device that can show how this effect is done is called an
electromagnet.
What is an Electromagnet?
An electromagnet - is a type of magnet in which an electric current produces the magnetic field.
Electromagnets usually consist of wire wounds into a coil. Professor Hans Christian Oersted coined the
term electromagnetism in 1820. It refers to the ability of a wire to carry electric current to produce a
magnetic current. The illustration below shows a simple electromagnet with its parts. What are the three
main parts of the electromagnet? What does each part do?
An electromagnet is temporary and is called an artificial magnet. It is a magnet that is only magnetic
when an electric current is flowing through it. If the flow of the current is cut off, the property of
magnetism stops.
The Parts of an Electromagnet
A basic electromagnet has three main parts: an iron core, insulated wire and a power source.
1. Iron core. Its purpose is to concentrate the magnetic flux produced by the current in the area outside
the wires.
2. Wire/ Insulated wire. The wire serves as the passage of the electric current creating a magnetic field.
The number of turns of wire represents the power of the electromagnet. The cable and wires need to be
insulated as it prevents the current from coming into contact with other conductors. It preserves the
wire material against environmental threats and resists electrical leakage.
3. Power source. It serves as the source of electricity that flows to the wire to create a magnetic field.
The amount of current also affects the strength of the electromagnet.
How to Make an Electromagnet Stronger
An electromagnet can be made stronger in three ways:
a. by having more coils of wire on the iron nail or core;
b. by increasing the amount of current supplied; and
c. by using soft iron as the core.
The more coils the iron nail or core has, the stronger the electromagnet. Similarly, when soft iron is used
as the core, the electromagnet is stronger than when other materials are used. Furthermore, the greater
the number of dry cells, the more electrons flow in the electromagnet, resulting in stronger magnetism.
This is the advantage of an electromagnet from a permanent magnet. When there is a need to
strengthen it, all the factors mentioned can be manipulated. An electromagnet operates only when there
is a flow of electricity in the coil of wire. Its magnetism can be turned on and off.
Uses of Electromagnets
Using electromagnets, you can create all sorts of things, including motors, solenoids, hard disks and tape
drives, speakers, and many others. Electromagnets have many uses.
1. It is used to transmit signals, as in the telegraph, telephone, radio, and television.
2. It is also used for industrial purposes, such as in motors, generators, and transformers.
3. The electromagnet in a crane is used to lift heavy objects like metals, steel bars, scrap iron, and cars.
4. Electromagnets are used in bells, buzzers, chimes, circuit breakers, and other electrical appliances in
our homes.
5. Electromagnets run electric toys.
What I Have Learned
Directions: Read and understand the paragraph below. Choose your answers from the box by filling in
the blanks. Write your chosen answers in your Science notebook/answer sheet.
An electromagnet is a device made temporarily magnetic by electricity. It is produced by making
electricity flow through a coil of
1. _______. The wire is winded around a piece of 2. ________. It serves as a core which is usually
made of 3. _______. When electric current flows through the wire, the wire and the iron
became a 4. ______. Both produce a 5. ________. Any magnetic substance that is located within
the field is 6. ______ to it. Without electricity, it loses its 7. ________.
Answer key:
Assessment
Directions: Read and understand the sentences below. Fill in the blanks with the correct word to
complete the idea of the sentence. Write your answers in your Science notebook/answer sheet.
1. Magnets has a property that attracts objects called __________.
2. In the field of communication, electromagnet ______ signals.
3. The _______ of electromagnets can be increased or decreased.
4. In a simple electromagnet setting, the ______ serves as the core.
5. The __________ of electromagnets exist only when electricity is flowing.
6. The source of electric current in the simple electromagnet set-up is the ______.
7. Magnets follow the fundamental law that _______ attract similar poles repel.
8. An ______ is a magnet whose magnetic properties are produced by electricity.
9. Metallic objects such as steel, nickel, cobalt, and iron are attracted to _________.
[Link] way of making electromagnets stronger is by ________ the number of coils around an iron
nail or core.
Answer key:
