Physics: Permanent vs Electromagnet - Who Lifts More?

Magnetic fields surround both permanent magnets and electromagnets, but their behaviour differs in important ways. A permanent bar magnet produces a fixed field from its material, while an electromagnet generates a field only when current flows through a coil, and its strength can be adjusted by changing that current or the number of turns. Comparing how many paper clips each device lifts at increasing distances reveals how field strength falls off with distance and how the two sources differ in overall power. This comparison matters because it connects magnetic field strength to real applications, from cranes lifting scrap metal to loudspeakers and relays. By averaging results across several distances, using average = total clips ÷ number of distances, and by examining each distance individually, patterns of relative strength emerge. The distance-by-distance comparison shows which magnet performs better at every point, while the average summarises overall performance, together giving a fuller picture of how permanent and electromagnets compare.