Electromagnet

The model shows a very simple **electromagnet**. Most magnets cannot be turned off. They are called permanent magnets. Magnets like the one you can see in this model can be turned on and off. They are called electromagnets.



They run on **electricity** and are only ***magnetic when the electricity is flowing***. The electricity flowing through the wire makes an electric field but also magnetic field as well. The electromagnet could be strong enough to pick up paper clips. It can repeatedly pick them up and then, when the wires are disconnected from the battery, the paper clips are unattached and fall quickly down.



In **1820** a Danish physicist, **Hans Christian Oersted**, discovered that there was a **relationship between electricity and magnetism**. Thanks to Oersted and a few others we can now make huge magnets by using electricity. We can also cause them to release their objects.



Electricity and magnetism are closely related. ***The movement of electrons causes both, and every electric current has its own magnetic field***. This magnetic force in electricity can be used to make powerful electromagnets that can be turned on and off with the flick of a switch.