Electromagnets

Another application of electricity, aside from giving power to machines is electromagnetism, or the form of energy wherein the electricity flowing through coils of wire generates a force that can attract most metal objects. An electromagnet is a magnet that runs on electricity. It consists of a core, a coil, and a source of electricity, such as a dry cell.

A magnet is a piece of iron or steel that possesses a magnetic field, or an area where there is attraction of metal objects. Usually, magnets are naturally occurring, which means that they were formed by nature and can be found in the ground. Magnets naturally exhibit their magnetic fields.

Think of a magnet as a device with an on-off switch, such that you can turn its magnetic field on or off. Natural magnets cannot do this, but an electromagnet can. By simply making electricity flow through it, you can "turn on" the magnetic field of an electromagnet.