Magnets and Electromagnets

Magnets are quite fascinating, but most people don’t understand how they actually work. You can’t see a magnetic field, so it is difficult to visualize it without a simulation to help you out.

Magnets and Electromagnets is, as the name suggests, an application that will show you the inner workings of magnets and electromagnets, as well as how their fields propagate and interact with a compass. It is easy to use and can be a valuable teaching tool.

The first simulation allows you to get a better understanding of how a simple magnet works. You can see how its magnetic field interacts with a compass, as well as measure the strength of the field at various points.

The magnet can be replaced with a miniature version of the Earth, illustrating how our planet’s magnetic field would look if we could visualize it. You can hide or display various elements, such as the compass, field and field meter.

The second simulation deals with magnets that have been created using a power source and a set of coils. It displays the movement of electrons through these coils while also showing how the magnetic field is oriented.

Initially, the power source is a simple DC battery. Since it produces DC current, electrons move continuously through the coils. You can also switch to an AC power supply, which causes the electric current to reverse direction numerous times per second.

Whether you are trying to learn more about this subject or want to help your students grasp these concepts, this simulation can certainly come in handy. It is quite simple to understand and can be configured in just a few seconds.