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Electromagnets

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In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, several different important discoveries were made related to magnetism and electromagnetism.  

  • Danish physicist Hans Christian Oersted discovered that a magnetic field is produced around a wire when there is electric current in a wire.  A compass needle will move when placed next to a current carrying wire.

 

  • French scientist Andre Marie Ampere discovered that there are magnetic forces between two wires carrying current.  The direction of force depends upon the direction of the current.

 

  • English scientist Michael Faraday discovered that when a magnetic field is moved near a wire, electric current is produced in the wire.  This process is called induction.

 

  • English physicist Dominique François Jean Arago discovered that a piece of iron could be magnetized by moving it near a current carrying wire.


These discoveries led to the invention of several electromagnetic devices that are commonplace on today's automobiles:

  • Solenoids

  • Relays

  • Electric Motors

  • Radio Speakers

  • etc.

 

Copyright 2008, by the Contributing Authors. Cite/attribute Resource. jfrank. (2008, February 12). Electromagnets. Retrieved November 22, 2009, from WSU Web site: http://ocw.weber.edu/automotive-technology/ausv-1320-automotive-electronics/4-magnetism/electromagnets. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Creative Commons License