Electromagnetism · 05 / 06

Electromagnetic Induction

A changing magnetic flux creates an induced electric response. The induced current acts in the direction that opposes the change in flux that produced it.

The learner question

How can a magnetic change make charge move without a battery?

Changing magnetic flux creates a circulating electric field. A conducting loop lets that electric field drive a current around the loop.

Faraday's law
E=NdΦBdt\mathcal E = -N\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}
ΦB=BAcosθ\Phi_B = BA\cos\theta

The minus sign is Lenz's law: the induced response opposes the change in flux.

Flux-change lab

Change the magnetic field through a loop.

CW current
dB/dt
0.80 T/s
induced emf
-0.96 V
response
oppose increase
Turns N20
Loop area A0.06
Field change rate0.80 T/s
induction idea
Flux is what matters

Induction responds to magnetic flux through the loop, so field strength, loop area, orientation, or any combination of them can create a change.

induction idea
Lenz's law protects energy bookkeeping

If the induced current reinforced the change that created it, the system could amplify itself without an energy source. The opposing direction prevents that runaway.

induction idea
Generators are motion-to-electric transfer

Rotating a coil in a magnetic field changes flux periodically, creating alternating emf. Mechanical work becomes electrical energy transfer.

Changing B creates circulating E

Induced electric fields do not need to begin or end on charge. They form closed loops around changing magnetic flux.

More turns multiply emf

Each loop experiences the same flux change, so a coil with N turns adds the induced emf around all turns.

No change means no induction

A large steady magnetic flux produces no Faraday emf by itself. The time variation is the crucial ingredient.

Transfer check

A strong magnetic field passes through a loop but stays perfectly constant. What Faraday emf is induced?

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