Question

On what effect of electric current does an electromagnet work?

Answer 1

Hint The above problem is based on the working principle of the electromagnet. The electromagnet works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The induction is the process by which the electric effect in one object transfers to another object.

Complete step by step answer
If the electric current passes through a conductor then it creates a region in which the effect of the conductor experiences. The region in which the conductor experiences is called the magnetic field of the conductor. When the magnetic field of the conductor varies then magnetic flux across the conductor also varies. The variation in the magnetic flux induces an emf in the conductor. The emf of the conductor transfers to other conductors in the magnetic field. Other conductors also experience the induced emf and the induced emf provides the induced current to other objects. The induced current creates the magnetic effect in the other conductors. The other objects behave as the magnets and are called electromagnet.

Additional Information When the magnetic flux of a conducting object varies continuously then the current also varies in the conducting material. This changing current induces eddy current in the conducting material. The eddy current is useful in electromagnetic braking and electromagnetic damping.

Note The working principle of the electromagnets is a very useful principle as the many electric devices like electric generators, transformers work on this principle. The electromagnetic effect is a temporary effect as it depends on the current in the conductor.