The Difference Between Electromagnet and Permanent Magnet Explained
What is a Permanent Magnet?
A permanent magnet is a magnet that produces a magnetic field without the need for an external electrical current. These magnets are made of materials like iron, cobalt, and nickel or other alloys, and once magnetized, they retain their magnetic properties for a long time.
Permanent magnets can be found in many everyday objects, such as refrigerator magnets, speakers, and even hard drives. They’re also widely used in industrial applications, like generators, motors, and MRI machines.
What is an Electromagnet?
An electromagnet, on the other hand, is a type of magnet that uses an electric current to produce a magnetic field. When the electric current flows through a wire wrapped around an iron or steel core, it creates a magnetic field.
Electromagnets come in various shapes and sizes and can be customized for specific applications by adjusting the number of wire turns, the diameter of the wire, and the voltage used. They’re used in many applications like loudspeakers, cranes, MRI machines, and many other industrial applications.
What’s the Difference between Electromagnets and Permanent Magnets?
The key difference between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet is how they produce a magnetic field. Permanent magnets generate a magnetic field without the need for an electric current, while electromagnets require an electric current to produce a magnetic field.
Another difference between the two is their ability to control the magnetic field’s strength. With a permanent magnet, the magnetic force stays constant. An electromagnet, on the other hand, has the ability to adjust the strength of the magnet by adjusting the current flow.
Additionally, permanent magnets are typically made from naturally magnetic materials that have been magnetized, while electromagnets are created by passing current through coils of wire wrapped around a magnetic core.
Conclusion
To sum up, the difference between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet is quite straightforward. Permanent magnets generate a magnetic field that isn’t adjustable, while an electromagnet has an adjustable magnetic field, but it requires an electric current to function. Understanding this basic difference is important when choosing which type of magnet to use in different applications.
Table difference between electromagnet and permanent magnet
| Aspect | Electromagnet | Permanent Magnet |
|---|---|---|
| Magnetic properties | Can be switched on and off, adjustable strength | Always magnetic, fixed strength |
| Source of magnetic field | Electricity through a coiled wire | Naturally occurring magnetic materials, such as iron, nickel, and cobalt |
| Applications | Electric motors, generators, MRI machines, magnetic separators, speakers, cranes | Refrigerator magnets, compasses, hard drives, credit card strips |
| Cost | More expensive due to need for electricity and coiled wire | Cheaper due to natural occurrence in materials |
| Maintenance | Requires a power source, maintenance of coiled wire, and insulation from moisture and heat | No power source or maintenance required |