Controlling Strength of Electromagnets: Risks & Effects

In summary, the conversation discusses the use and control of electromagnets and the potential health risks of being near them for extended periods of time. The strength of electromagnets can be controlled through voltage and they can be powerful enough to hold up heavy objects. However, being in close proximity to strong magnetic fields can cause problems, especially when moving. The idea of using electromagnets in clothing to create a pulling sensation is mentioned, but it is advised against due to the potential for blunt force collisions.
  • #1
iWheeler
5
0
sorry if this thread is in the wrong place..

basically it's to do with electro magnets.. can you control the strength of them by something like a pedal? as in if you gradually push it the strength gradually increases?

also would it be a health risk if you were right next to electromagnets or had something on you the magnet will pull for long periods of time?

sorry I am being very vague not sure how to ask about what i need to know!

thanks in advance if you can help
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


Hi and welcome
I can't help you much except to say that an electromagnet uses an electric current. The current can be controlled, as with motor speed, lighting and heating control by varying the voltage of the power supply.
This is easy to achieve for a small electromagnet but many industrial and scientific electromagnets use huge amounts of Current so the power supplies are specialised equipment.
 
  • #3


iWheeler said:
also would it be a health risk if you were right next to electromagnets or had something on you the magnet will pull for long periods of time?
As far as I know, magnetic fields of reasonable strength are no problem as long as you and the field do not move with respect to each other. "Reasonable strength" here means "everything you can achieve", which is below 5 Tesla. Moving in strong magnetic fields (like several Teslas) can cause problems, as this can induce currents in the body. Howevery, you would need quite a large and strong magnet to get in this region.

This is vague, too, like the question itself :p.
 
  • #4


I can say that some electromagnets that are very easy to build can be stunningly strong - if all you want to do is to 'hang on' to a piece of steel. A few amps through a couple of dozen turns which are wrapped round a 'C Core' out of a drawer in a School Prep Room will hold up a mass of many kg. That is actually very impressive but it won't 'attract' that load from more than a few mm away.

The ultimate in 'powerful little electromagnet' has to be in the pilot flame protection valves in gas heaters etc. A small thermocouple, in the pilot flame, produces enough current in a solenoid to hold open a gas valve against a fairly strong spring for years of operation. Such a simple invention and someone deserves credit for even trying out the idea. I would have rejected it out of hand if I'd been asked.
 
  • #5


wow thanks for the fast replies very helpful!

this will probably sound very strange but.. say you had a jacket on that had metal in it and a few electromagnets around you that were strong enough to pull you in certain directions.. (enough so you can feel it pulling you) is this possible and most importantly safe?!

haha sounds quite funny when i put it like that..

thanks!
 
  • #6


iWheeler said:
wow thanks for the fast replies very helpful!

this will probably sound very strange but.. say you had a jacket on that had metal in it and a few electromagnets around you that were strong enough to pull you in certain directions.. (enough so you can feel it pulling you) is this possible and most importantly safe?!

You are at great risk, not from magnetism, but from blunt force collisions. You will get slammed into the magnets.

Try this on a very small scale with a paperclip and a couple of permanent magnets arranged in a circle. If the paperclip gets within a certain distance of a magnet, you will be too slow to prevent the rapidly increasing force from yanking the paperclip right to the magnet.
 
  • #7


iWheeler said:
say you had a jacket on that had metal in it and a few electromagnets around you that were strong enough to pull you in certain directions

They don't pull you, they pull the jacket.
 
  • #8


DaveC426913 said:
You are at great risk, not from magnetism, but from blunt force collisions. You will get slammed into the magnets.

that should be a problem as the person would be fixed to something like a seat within a circle of magnets, the problem i was wondering was if the magnetism could be harmful to you, it would only be a enough so you could feel it pull you in different directions.
 
  • #9


shouldn't**
 
  • #10


Borek said:
They don't pull you, they pull the jacket.

sorry yeah i meant when it pulls the jacket it would feel like you are being pulled
 
  • #11


You can edit your own posts, BTW.

They'll definitely feel it all right. They'll get whiplash.
 

What is the purpose of controlling the strength of electromagnets?

The purpose of controlling the strength of electromagnets is to regulate the amount of magnetic force produced by the electromagnet. This allows for more precise and controlled use of the electromagnet in various applications.

What are the risks associated with using high-strength electromagnets?

High-strength electromagnets can pose risks such as interference with electronic devices, potential harm to living organisms, and damage to sensitive equipment. They can also cause unintended attraction or repulsion of nearby objects, which can lead to accidents.

How can the strength of an electromagnet be controlled?

The strength of an electromagnet can be controlled by adjusting the amount of current flowing through the wire coil or by changing the number of wire coils in the magnet. By increasing or decreasing these factors, the strength of the magnetic field can be altered.

What are the effects of controlling the strength of electromagnets?

The effects of controlling the strength of electromagnets can include better precision and control in various applications, increased safety by preventing unintended accidents, and reduced risks to living organisms and sensitive equipment.

What safety precautions should be taken when using high-strength electromagnets?

When using high-strength electromagnets, it is important to follow safety protocols such as wearing protective gear, keeping a safe distance from the magnet, and properly grounding the equipment. It is also important to have a trained professional monitor and handle the electromagnet to avoid any potential risks.

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
270
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
26
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
22
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
964
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
2K
Back
Top