7.5.5

Electromagnetic Induction

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Electromagnetic Induction

A current-carrying wire in a magnetic field may experience a force. In reverse, a potential difference (and hence a current) may be induced in a conductor that experiences a change in magnetic flux.

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Slow falling magnet

  • In this demonstration, the magnet falling through the tube takes considerably longer to fall than it would if it were just falling through the air.
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Explanation

  • The copper tube is not magnetic, but it is a conductor experiencing a change in magnetic flux.
  • A current is induced in the tube (in a circle around the magnet), which in turn causes a magnetic field to act so as to slow the magnet down.
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Wire moving in magnetic field

  • As the wire cuts through the magnetic field lines, a p.d. and hence a current is induced in the complete circuit. This is registered as a small flicker on the ammeter.

Faraday and Lenz's Laws

The two main laws about electromagnetic induction are from Faraday and Lenz.

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Faraday's law

  • When the magnetic flux linkage in a circuit changes, an electromotive force (emf) is induced in the circuit.
  • The emf is proportional to the rate of change of the flux linkage. The equation for calculating the emf is:
    • emf = −(number of coils x change in flux linkage) ÷ change in time
    • emf=NΔϕΔtemf=-N\frac{{\Delta\phi}}{{\Delta}t}
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Lenz's law

  • The negative sign at the start of Faraday's law is because of Lenz's law.
  • Lenz's law is that the induced electromotive force will induce a current and a magnetic field which will oppose the change in flux.

Jump to other topics

1Measurements & Errors

2Particles & Radiation

3Waves

4Mechanics & Materials

5Electricity

6Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics (A2 only)

7Fields & Their Consequences (A2 only)

8Nuclear Physics (A2 only)

9Option: Astrophysics (A2 only)

10Option: Medical Physics (A2 only)

11Option: Engineering Physics (A2 only)

12Option: Turning Points in Physics (A2 only)

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