Red Seal Electrician Practice
Magnetism and electromagnetismQuestion 872 of 1506

How do air-core electromagnets compare with iron-core electromagnets of the same turns and current?

  1. They saturate sooner and make more flux.
  2. They saturate at the same point and make the same flux.
  3. They do not saturate, but make much less flux.
  4. They do not saturate and make more flux.
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Correct answer: They do not saturate, but make much less flux.

Saturation is limited to iron-core magnets, but the air core gives far less flux for the same ampere-turns.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits I: DC (Kuphaldt), 14.4: Permeability and Saturation

Practice magnetism and electromagnetism

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026