Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello all! I have a question that I have not been able to find a satisfactory answer to as of yet via my online searches, so I wanted to ask here and see if perhaps I could obtain a more satisfactory one.

If I were to take one of the stronger permanent neodymium magnets and wind many tight coils of copper wire around it, and do it in such a way that when a strong current of electricity were introduced that it would create an electromagnetic effect that complimented the permanent magnets field rather than cancel or dampen it, how much of an increase in "power", so to speak, would I be able to achieve?

I am aware that if the flow of the current creates an electromagnetic effect that is counter to the established permanent magnets field that it would lessen the magnetic capabilities of the powered up, completed device. However, just how much stronger would I be capable of making the field if assembled in the way that would add to it?

Are there certain barriers or ceilings or limits that exist as properties of such a device that would cause a plateau of some kind that could not be broken to make it any more "powerful" once they have been reached? Or are there certain geometrical arrangements of the coils that could be used to surpass the standard "wrap around coil" pattern that most think of when taking say a nail and simply wrapping the copper wire around it starting at one end and finishing at the other? Or is this increase in field strength something that could simply just get stronger and stronger completely dependent upon how many coils are made, the gauge of wire, and amount of electricity applied for the electromagnetic effect aspect of this experiment?

I am very curious as to any "pitfalls" or obvious issues that might arise from attempting this experiment as well, if there are any I should be made aware of prior to attempting this experiment as well. So any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and knowledge.

ThaWhizardOfOz

TheWhizardOfOz - Interesting question, and one that you could actually design an experiment around with a reasonable hypothesis. Most electromagnet cores are based on iron. Neodymium magnets are made of about 65% Iron, 30+% Neodymium and a trace amount of Boron. That said, I think it would react to the magnetizing action of a coil of wire wrapped around it and energized with a DC current. Because the Neodymium magnet is a a compound of those elements mentioned, it may be far poorer in terms of it's magnetic efficiency than simple iron, as a basis for constructing an electromagnet. This would have to do with the permeability of the Nd+Fe+B material compared to iron. I've attached a reference that suggests just that. I also don't know what permanent effect on the magnetic qualities the Neodymiun magnet will have after applying an external magnetic field, with either a complementing or opposing polarity. More information to determine through an experiment. Good luck, let us know what you find out.

Rick Marz

Hi, Whizard.

As replied on your other post, Science Buddies is specifically for K-12 students. I'm sure there are other forums for college level questions.

Good luck!