Question

What is a coil of wire with electric current flowing through it called?

Answer 1

a solenoid

An electromagnet is a solenoid wrapped around a bar of iron or other ferromagnetic material. A solenoid is a coil of wire with electric current flowing through it. This gives the coil north and south magnetic poles and a magnetic field. The magnetic field of the solenoid magnetizes the iron bar by aligning its magnetic domains. You can see this in the Figure below . You can learn how to make an electromagnet at this URL: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=emlzh9XXWgQ.