The Impact of Electromagnets in Modern Life |Ias Banenge

Context:

Invented in 1824 by William Sturgeon, electromagnets are a fixture of modern life, appearing in loudspeakers, motors, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, maglev trains, and particle accelerators.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

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About Electromagnets:

• Definition: Electromagnets are devices that generate a magnetic field when an electric current flows through a coil of wire.
• Magnetic Field: The magnetic field is concentrated within the coil. The strength of this field can be adjusted by modifying the electric current. When the current stops, the magnetic field vanishes.
• Construction and Materials: Typically, electromagnets consist of a wire coil wrapped around a core made of ferromagnetic materials like iron. The core enhances the magnetic field’s strength by aligning its magnetic domains.
• Control: Electromagnets can be activated or deactivated by controlling the electric current.
• Power: They are more powerful than permanent magnets because the magnetic field can be intensified by the magnetic core.
• Applications: They are commonly used in various devices such as motors, generators, MRI machines, and magnetic separation equipment.
• Industrial Uses: Electromagnets are utilized in industries for lifting and moving heavy metal objects, sorting materials, and generating motion.
• Medical and Consumer Uses: They are also used in medical imaging and consumer devices like electric doorbells and card readers.
• Energy Requirement: Electromagnets need a continuous supply of electrical power to maintain their magnetic field. As a result, they are less energy-efficient compared to permanent magnets.

-Source: The Hindu