Lesson 6 of 6

Using electromagnets

Goal: Explain how electromagnets are used, including in a motor.

Puzzles for this lesson

An electromagnet can be switched on and off, and its strength can be changed. A permanent magnet is magnetic all the time.

A scrapyard crane lifts steel while the current is on, and drops it when the current is switched off.
An electric bell and a loudspeaker use an electromagnet to make a part move back and forth.
An electric motor has a coil of wire between the poles of a magnet. A current makes the coil an electromagnet, so the magnet pushes and pulls on it and turns it. Sliding contacts keep it turning the same way.

Your turn

This lesson’s activity starts here in a moment.

I can say why a device uses an electromagnet and not a permanent magnet.I can describe one device.

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Permanent magnet An object that is magnetic all the time

Electromagnet A magnet that is turned on and off by the current through it

Motor A machine in which a coil with a current in it spins between the poles of a magnet

For teachers: AQA 3.2.3 · Cambridge 8Pe.02 in part