This diagram covers Electromagnet Structure within Magnetic Fields for GCSE Physics. Revise Magnetic Fields in Magnetism for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 6 of 14 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.
Topic position
Section 6 of 14
Practice
13 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
📊 Electromagnet Structure
Figure 2: An electromagnet — current through a coil creates a magnetic field. Soft iron core increases field strength.
KEY INSIGHT: Soft iron (not steel!) is used because it loses magnetism instantly when current stops — essential for an ON/OFF magnet!
Quick Check: Why is a soft iron core used in an electromagnet rather than a steel core?
Soft iron is used because it is an induced (temporary) magnet — it becomes magnetised when current flows but loses its magnetism immediately when the current is switched off. Steel would retain its magnetism after the current stops (it's a hard magnetic material), making the magnet impossible to switch off.