Electromagnet invented by William Sturgeon

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)
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Only two years after Michael Faraday's ground-breaking work developing an electromagnetic motor, William Sturgeon demonstrated how it could be made of practical use by building the first electromagnet that created such a strong magnetic force that it could lift more than its own weight in iron. By wrapping a horseshoe-shaped piece of iron in a coil of wire, and passing an electric current through the wire, the iron became magnetised. He was able to use a seven-ounce piece of iron to lift a full nine pounds. One of the key things about Sturgeon's electromagnet was that he was able to regulate and control it. This paved the way for its use in all kinds of electric motors, as it is today.

121 words

Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Electromagnet invented by William Sturgeon". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 August 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=6254, accessed 19 March 2024.]

6254 Electromagnet invented by William Sturgeon 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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