Question

The materials suitable for making electromagnets should have

Answer 1

Electromagnet:

1. It is a substance that induces a magnetic field when it is kept in an electric field.
2. The strength of the magnetic field can be adjusted by altering the electric field around it.
3. Generally, its core is made up of iron which is tightly wounded with a coil of conducting wire.
4. The current passing through the wire induces a magnetic field inside the iron core.
5. Hence, the iron core acts as a temporary magnet since as soon as the conduction inside the coil is stopped, the iron core loses its magnetic field.

Coercivity:

1. The minimum intensity of the electromagnetic force is known as coercivity.
2. The coercivity of an electromagnet has to be low, if it is high it will be difficult to handle the electromagnetic field.

Retentivity:

1. It is the ability of the electromagnet to retain its magnetic property after removing the electric field.
2. The retentivity also has to be low to bring the electromagnet to its original state after removing the electric field.

⇒ Thus, the material suitable for making electromagnets should have low coercivity and low retentivity.