What is a coil that has a soft iron core and acts as a magnet when an electric current is in the coil called?

The term that describes a coil with a soft iron core that becomes a magnet when an electric current passes through it is an electromagnet. An electromagnet operates on the principle of electromagnetism, where the electric current flowing through the coil generates a magnetic field. The presence of the soft iron core enhances this magnetic field, allowing the electromagnet to become much stronger than one made of just the wire alone. This property makes electromagnets highly useful in various applications, including electric motors, generators, and magnetic locks.

Understanding this process is critical in fields that involve electrical systems and machinery, as it highlights how electric currents can be harnessed to create magnetic forces. Meanwhile, while inductors, transformers, and resistors are important components in electrical systems, their functions differ significantly. Inductors store energy in a magnetic field but do not necessarily become permanent magnets, transformers are used to transfer electrical energy between circuits through magnetic coupling, and resistors are components that limit the flow of current.