A circular coil with 50 turns and radius 10 cm is perpendicular to a 0.80 T magnetic field. The field decreases to zero in 0.20 s. What is the induced EMF?
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=
B⋅
A=
BAcosθ
where:
B = magnetic field strength (T)
A = area (m²)
θ = angle between B and normal to surface
Unit: Weber (Wb) = T·m²
Maximum flux: B perpendicular to surface (θ=0°, Φ=BA)
Zero flux: B parallel to surface (θ=90°)
Faraday's Law
Changing magnetic flux induces EMF (voltage)!
E=−NΔtΔΦB
where:
E = induced EMF (V)
N = number of turns in coil
ΔΦB = change in magnetic flux
Three ways to change flux:
Change B (vary field strength)
Change A (vary area)
Change θ (rotate coil)
💡 This is how generators work! Motion → changing flux → induced voltage
Lenz's Law
The direction of induced current opposes the change that caused it.
Negative sign in Faraday's Law represents this!
To find direction:
Determine if flux is increasing or decreasing
Induced current creates B field to oppose this change
Use right-hand rule to find current direction
Increasing flux: Induced B field opposes (points opposite)
Decreasing flux: Induced B field reinforces (points same way)
💡 Conservation of energy! If induced current helped the change, you'd get free energy (perpetual motion).
Motional EMF
Conductor moving through B field:
E=BLv
where:
B = field strength
L = length of conductor
v = velocity perpendicular to B
Physical picture:
Moving conductor → charges inside move
Magnetic force on charges: F = qvB
Charges separate → voltage (EMF)!
Direction: Use right-hand rule for F = qv × B
Applications: Electric Generator
Rotate coil in magnetic field
Flux changes: Φ(t)=BAcos(ωt)
Induced EMF: E(t)=NBAωsin(ωt)
AC generator: Produces alternating current (sinusoidal)
DC generator: Uses commutator to rectify current (one direction)
Maximum EMF: Emax=NBAω
Eddy Currents
Induced currents in solid conductors:
Swirling currents (like water eddies)
Dissipate energy as heat
Create magnetic braking force
Applications:
Braking systems (trains)
Metal detectors
Induction cooktops
Reduce eddy currents: Use laminated (layered) cores
Transformers
Step-up/step-down voltage using induction!
VpVs=NpNs
where:
Vp, Np = primary voltage, turns
Vs, Ns = secondary voltage, turns
Power conservation (ideal transformer):
Pp=PsVpIp=VsIs
So: IpIs=VsVp=NsNp
Step-up (N_s > N_p): Voltage increases, current decreases
Step-down (N_s < N_p): Voltage decreases, current increases
💡 Only works with AC! Need changing flux.
Self-Inductance
Changing current in coil induces EMF in same coil!
E=−LΔtΔI
where L is inductance (unit: Henry, H = Wb/A = V·s/A)
For solenoid:L=μ0n2Aℓ=μ0ℓN2A
Opposes change in current (like inertia for current!)
Energy in Magnetic Field
Energy stored in inductor:
UB=21LI2
Energy density in B field:
uB=2μ0B2
RL Circuits
Inductor in circuit with resistor:
Growth of current (switch closed):
I(t)=Imax(1−e−t/τ)
where τ=L/R is time constant
Decay of current (switch opened):
I(t)=I0e−t/τ
After time τ: Current reaches 63% of maximum (or decays to 37%)
Maxwell's Addition to Ampère's Law
Changing electric field creates magnetic field!
Just as changing B creates E (Faraday), changing E creates B.
This led to prediction of electromagnetic waves!
c=μ0ϵ01=3.0×108 m/s
Speed of light emerges from electric and magnetic constants!
Problem-Solving Strategy
Find initial and final flux: Φ=BAcosθ
Calculate change: ΔΦ
Apply Faraday's Law: E=−NΔΦ/Δt
Use Lenz's Law for direction
For motional EMF: E=BLv
Common Mistakes
❌ Forgetting cos θ in flux calculation
❌ Wrong sign/direction from Lenz's Law
❌ Using Faraday's Law when flux is constant (ΔΦ = 0 → ε = 0!)
❌ Confusing transformers (works with AC only!)
❌ Thinking V increases → I increases in transformer (opposite!)
❌ Not using perpendicular component of velocity
r=10
=0.10
Initial field: Bi=0.80 T
Final field: Bf=0 T
Time: Δt=0.20 s
Perpendicular: θ=0°
Solution:
Step 1: Find area.
A=πr2=π(0.10)2=0.0314 m2
Step 2: Find change in flux.
Φi=BiAcosθ=(0.80)(0.0314)(1)=0.0251 WbΦf=0ΔΦ=Φf−Φi=−0.0251 Wb
Step 3: Apply Faraday's Law.
∣E∣=NΔt∣ΔΦ∣=(50)0.200.0251∣E∣=6.3 V
Answer: Induced EMF = 6.3 V
Direction: By Lenz's Law, induced current creates B field in same direction as original (to oppose the decrease).
2Problem 2medium
❓ Question:
A metal rod of length 0.50 m moves at 4.0 m/s perpendicular to a 0.30 T magnetic field. What is the motional EMF?
💡 Show Solution
Given:
Length: L=0.50 m
Velocity: v=4.0 m/s
B field: B=0.30 T
Perpendicular motion
Solution:
Motional EMF:
E=BLv=(0.30)(0.50)(4.0)=0.60 V
Physical picture:
Rod moves through B field
Free electrons in metal experience F = qvB
Electrons accumulate at one end
Creates potential difference (EMF)!
Answer: Motional EMF = 0.60 V
Direction: Use right-hand rule for F = qv × B (remembering q is negative for electrons).
3Problem 3hard
❓ Question:
An ideal transformer steps 120 V AC down to 12 V. The primary has 100 turns. (a) How many turns in secondary? (b) If secondary supplies 5.0 A, what is primary current?
💡 Show Solution
Given:
Primary voltage: Vp=120 V
Secondary voltage: Vs=12 V
Primary turns: Np=100
Secondary current: Is=5.0 A
Part (a): Secondary turns
VpVs
Part (b): Primary current
Power conservation:
VpIp=VsI
Check: Voltage down by factor of 10, so current up by factor of 10! ✓
Answer:
(a) N_s = 10 turns (step-down transformer)
(b) I_p = 0.50 A
Note: Lower voltage → higher current for same power.
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