Electromagnets are soft iron cores that are made into magnets on passing an electric current through the coil surrounding them.
A permanent magnet is something that is an innate ability of a magnet that continues to show magnetism even if it is removed from the magnetic field.
So, here if we differentiate between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet, it seems that permanent magnets are better than electromagnets; however, each of these has its own advantages.
This article discusses the difference between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet in points.
Electromagnetism Meaning
The word ‘Electro’ in electromagnetism talks about the magnetism that is caused by the effect of electricity, and soon it loses its magnetism when it is brought away from the area of the magnetic field.
Permanent Magnetism Meaning
The word permanent talks about something that remains firm or permanent. Here, permanent magnetism means a magnet that retains its magnetism after the removal of the magnetizing force or after taking a magnet from the vicinity of the magnetic field.
The below diagram represents the difference between the electromagnet and permanent magnet:
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Differentiate Between Permanent Magnet and Electromagnet
|
Parameters |
Permanent Magnetism |
Electromagnetism |
|
Definition |
A permanent magnet is an object made of a material that gets magnetized and creates its own persistent magnetic field. |
An electromagnet is made from a coil of wire that acts as a magnet when an electric current is allowed to pass through it. |
|
Meaning |
As the name ‘permanent magnet’ suggests, it always has a magnetic field and displays its magnetic behavior forever. |
As the name suggests ‘electromagnet’ means temporary. It works like a magnet as long as the current passes through the coil. |
|
Made of |
A permanent magnet is made of hard materials like steel. |
It is made of a soft iron core. |
|
Magnetism |
It generates the magnetic field by itself and that remains persistent forever. |
The electromagnet is often wrapped around a core of the ferromagnetic material like steel that increases the magnetic field generated by the coil. |
|
The need for an electric current supply |
Permanent magnets does not need an electric current to behave as a magnet. |
Electromagnets require an electric current to work as a magnet. |
Distinguish Between the Electromagnet and Permanent Magnet:
|
Parameter |
Electromagnet |
Permanent Magnet |
|
Magnetic field strength |
The magnetic field strength of electromagnets can be changed/altered. |
As the name suggests ‘permanent’, its magnetic field strength remains like its name. |
|
Nature of magnetic field |
Temporary |
Permanent |
|
Strength of magnetic field |
The magnetic field of electromagnets can be very strong. |
The nature of magnetism or the magnetic field is weaker as compared to electromagnets. |
|
Changing the magnetic field |
The magnetic field of electromagnets can be altered by controlling the flow of the electric current. |
The magnetic field of permanent magnets cannot be changed, as it remains constant. |
|
Magnetic force |
Electromagnets are temporary, as these magnets work on magnetic forces only when an electric current passes through them. |
Permanent magnets generate a weaker magnetic force as compared to electromagnets. |
|
Polarity |
The polarity of an electromagnet can be reversed. |
We can not reverse the polarity of permanent magnets. |
|
Demagnetizing |
Electromagnets can be easily demagnetized by switching off the current. |
We cannot demagnetize the permanent magnet. |
|
Example |
An example of an electromagnet is a solenoid wrapped with a wire or a coil and connected to the battery. |
A bar magnet is an example of permanent magnets. |
|
Usage |
Used in devices like electric fans |
Electric motors: There are a total of three permanent magnets in the electric motor First: powering the front axle Second and third: A pair at the rear, each driving its own wheel. |
|
Applications |
Electric fans, electric bell, telegraph, debit cards, credit cards, etc. |
Electric clocks, microphones, speakers, electrical devices like generators, motors, scientific instruments, etc. |
Now, let’s discuss more to differentiate between the electromagnet and permanent magnet:
The table below lists the difference between the electromagnet and permanent magnet
Difference between Permanent and Electromagnet
|
Parameter |
Permanent magnet |
Electromagnet |
|
Retaining of magnetic property |
Permanent magnets can retain their magnetic property for a long period until it gets demagnetized because of various factors. |
Since electromagnet is a temporary magnetic, so its magnetic effect can be utilized by switching on the current when needed. |
|
The magnitude of magnetic field strength |
The magnitude of the magnetic field can be increased or decreased by changing the magnitude of the current supply. |
The magnitude of the magnetic field cannot be increased or decreased by changing the magnitude of the current supply, as it remains the same forever. |
|
Mode of study |
Electromagnetism deals with both electricity and magnetism and the interaction between them. |
Permanent magnetism or magnetism is the force that can cause two objects to attract or repel each other because of the motion of moving charges. |
|
Phenomenon |
Electromagnetism deals with both electric and magnetic fields. |
Magnetism deals with magnetic fields or magnetic forces. |
Uses and Advantages of using Permanent Magnet
The permanent magnets are particularly efficient at attracting other magnetic objects and a lot of modern appliances need to convert the mechanical motion into a kind of force or energy to work. One of such appliances is inductions and generators. They convert the motion into energy with the help of permanent magnets. They are also used in televisions, speakers, or headphones as they need to create a magnetic field around them to work.
Permanent magnets are also not so expensive and that is why the usages of permanent magnets in the industrial sectors prove to be quite a good idea. They are portable and consume less space. The best part of permanent magnets is that they do not need a separate wiring system in order to create the magnetic field and that is why their manufacturing cost is also quite low compared to the electromagnets.
The appliances that incorporate permanent magnets into their system can be used in various ways and multiple times and that is why they are quite cost-effective. Since permanent magnets do not need any external power supply or force to create the magnetic field, variation in the power of the magnetic field in different areas cannot be seen. Using permanent magnets can provide you with a uniform magnetic field.