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Faraday's Law and Lenz's Law

Electromagnetic induction and induced EMF

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Faraday's Law and Lenz's Law

Magnetic Flux

ΦB=∫B⃗⋅dA⃗\Phi_B = \int \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{A}

For uniform field and flat surface: ΦB=BAcos⁡θ\Phi_B = BA\cos\theta

Units: 1 weber (Wb) = 1 T·m²

Faraday's Law

Induced EMF: E=−dΦBdt\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}

Negative sign is Lenz's law: induced current opposes change in flux.

For N-turn coil: E=−NdΦBdt\mathcal{E} = -N\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}

Ways to Change Flux

  1. Change B: ΦB=BAcos⁡θ\Phi_B = BA\cos\theta, vary BB
  2. Change A: Move wire to change loop area
  3. Change θ: Rotate loop in field

Motional EMF

Rod of length LL moving with velocity vv perpendicular to field BB:

Magnetic force on charges: F=qvBF = qvB

EMF: E=BLv\mathcal{E} = BLv

From Faraday's law: E=−d(BA)dt=−BdAdt=−BLdxdt=−BLv\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d(BA)}{dt} = -B\frac{dA}{dt} = -BL\frac{dx}{dt} = -BLv

(Magnitude BLvBLv; sign from Lenz's law)

Induced Electric Field

Changing magnetic flux creates electric field:

∮E⃗⋅dl⃗=−dΦBdt\oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{l} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}

This E⃗\vec{E} is non-conservative! (Circulation not zero)

For cylindrical symmetry: E(2πr)=−dΦBdtE(2\pi r) = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}

Eddy Currents

Induced currents in bulk conductor:

  • Flow in loops (eddies)
  • Dissipate energy as heat
  • Create magnetic braking

Applications:

  • Metal detectors
  • Magnetic braking
  • Induction heating

Generators

Rotating coil in magnetic field:

ΦB=BAcos⁡(ωt)\Phi_B = BA\cos(\omega t)

E=−dΦBdt=BAωsin⁡(ωt)\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt} = BA\omega\sin(\omega t)

E=E0sin⁡(ωt)\mathcal{E} = \mathcal{E}_0\sin(\omega t)

where E0=NBAω\mathcal{E}_0 = NBA\omega (N turns, area A).

Betatron

Accelerates electrons in circular path:

Condition for stable orbit: Borbit=12BavgB_{orbit} = \frac{1}{2}B_{avg}

where BavgB_{avg} is average field inside orbit.

Lenz's Law

Induced current creates magnetic field that opposes the change in flux.

  • Flux increasing: induced B⃗\vec{B} opposes it
  • Flux decreasing: induced B⃗\vec{B} tries to maintain it

Energy conservation: Work required to change flux against induced current.

📚 Practice Problems

1Problem 1medium

❓ Question:

A circular loop of radius r = 0.08 m has resistance R = 2.0 Ω. The loop is perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field that increases from B₀ = 0.2 T to B₁ = 0.8 T in time Δt = 0.5 s. Find: (a) the induced EMF, (b) the induced current (magnitude and direction), and (c) the total charge that flows through the loop.

💡 Show Solution

Given:

  • r = 0.08 m
  • R = 2.0 Ω
  • B₀ = 0.2 T, B₁ = 0.8 T
  • Δt = 0.5 s
  • Loop perpendicular to field

(a) Induced EMF:

Area: A=πr2=π(0.08)2=0.0201A = \pi r^2 = \pi(0.08)^2 = 0.0201 m²

Change in flux: ΔΦB=AΔB=A(B1−B0)\Delta \Phi_B = A \Delta B = A(B_1 - B_0) ΔΦB=(0.0201)(0.8−0.2)=0.0121 Wb\Delta \Phi_B = (0.0201)(0.8 - 0.2) = 0.0121 \text{ Wb}

Faraday's law: ∣E∣=∣ΔΦBΔt∣=0.01210.5|\mathcal{E}| = \left|\frac{\Delta \Phi_B}{\Delta t}\right| = \frac{0.0121}{0.5}

∣E∣=0.0241 V=24.1 mV|\mathcal{E}| = \boxed{0.0241 \text{ V} = 24.1 \text{ mV}}

(b) Induced current:

I=∣E∣R=0.02412.0I = \frac{|\mathcal{E}|}{R} = \frac{0.0241}{2.0}

I=0.0121 A=12.1 mAI = \boxed{0.0121 \text{ A} = 12.1 \text{ mA}}

Direction (Lenz's law):

  • B is increasing into page
  • Induced current opposes this change
  • Induced B must point out of page
  • By right-hand rule: current flows counterclockwise (viewed from front)

(c) Total charge:

Q=∫I dt=∫∣E∣Rdt=1R∫∣E∣ dtQ = \int I \, dt = \int \frac{|\mathcal{E}|}{R} dt = \frac{1}{R} \int |\mathcal{E}| \, dt

Q=ΔΦBR=0.01212.0Q = \frac{\Delta \Phi_B}{R} = \frac{0.0121}{2.0}

Q=6.03×10−3 C=6.03 mCQ = \boxed{6.03 \times 10^{-3} \text{ C} = 6.03 \text{ mC}}

2Problem 2hard

❓ Question:

A rectangular loop (0.5 m × 0.3 m) moves at constant velocity v = 2.0 m/s into a region where B = 0.6 T (perpendicular to loop). The loop has resistance R = 0.8 Ω. At the instant when the loop is partially in the field (0.2 m inside): Find (a) the induced EMF, (b) the induced current and power dissipated, and (c) the magnetic force on the loop.

💡 Show Solution

Given:

  • Dimensions: 0.5 m (width) × 0.3 m (height)
  • v = 2.0 m/s
  • B = 0.6 T
  • R = 0.8 Ω
  • x = 0.2 m inside field

(a) Induced EMF:

As loop enters field, flux through it increases: ΦB=B⋅(x×height)=B⋅x⋅h\Phi_B = B \cdot (x \times \text{height}) = B \cdot x \cdot h

Rate of change: dΦBdt=Bhdxdt=Bhv\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt} = Bh\frac{dx}{dt} = Bhv

Motional EMF: ∣E∣=Bhv=(0.6)(0.3)(2.0)|\mathcal{E}| = Bhv = (0.6)(0.3)(2.0)

∣E∣=0.36 V|\mathcal{E}| = \boxed{0.36 \text{ V}}

Alternatively: E=Blv\mathcal{E} = Blv where l = height

(b) Current and power:

I=∣E∣R=0.360.8I = \frac{|\mathcal{E}|}{R} = \frac{0.36}{0.8}

I=0.45 AI = \boxed{0.45 \text{ A}}

Direction: By Lenz's law, current opposes flux increase

  • Induced current creates field out of page (if B into page)
  • Current flows counterclockwise in loop

Power dissipated: P=I2R=(0.45)2(0.8)=0.162 WP = I^2 R = (0.45)^2(0.8) = \boxed{0.162 \text{ W}}

Or: P=EI=(0.36)(0.45)=0.162P = \mathcal{E}I = (0.36)(0.45) = 0.162 W ✓

(c) Magnetic force:

Force on current-carrying edge in field: F=BIl=(0.6)(0.45)(0.3)F = BIl = (0.6)(0.45)(0.3)

F=0.081 NF = \boxed{0.081 \text{ N}}

Direction: By Lenz's law, force opposes motion

  • Force points opposite to velocity (to the left)
  • This is the force you must overcome to maintain constant v

Check energy: Fv=(0.081)(2.0)=0.162Fv = (0.081)(2.0) = 0.162 W = P ✓

3Problem 3hard

❓ Question:

A long solenoid (n = 2000 turns/m, radius R = 0.04 m) has current I(t) = I₀sin(ωt) where I₀ = 5.0 A and ω = 100π rad/s. A single circular loop of radius r = 0.06 m and resistance R = 0.5 Ω is placed around the solenoid. Find: (a) the magnetic flux through the loop as a function of time, (b) the maximum induced EMF, and (c) the maximum power dissipated.

💡 Show Solution

Given:

  • Solenoid: n = 2000 turns/m, R_s = 0.04 m
  • I(t) = I₀sin(ωt), I₀ = 5.0 A, ω = 100π rad/s
  • Loop: r = 0.06 m, R = 0.5 Ω
  • μ₀ = 4π × 10⁻⁷ T·m/A

(a) Flux through loop:

B inside solenoid: B(t)=μ0nI(t)=μ0nI0sin⁡(ωt)B(t) = \mu_0 n I(t) = \mu_0 n I_0 \sin(\omega t)

Since r > R_s, only the solenoid cross-section contributes: ΦB(t)=B(t)⋅πRs2=μ0nI0πRs2sin⁡(ωt)\Phi_B(t) = B(t) \cdot \pi R_s^2 = \mu_0 n I_0 \pi R_s^2 \sin(\omega t)

ΦB(t)=(4π×10−7)(2000)(5.0)(π)(0.04)2sin⁡(100πt)\Phi_B(t) = (4\pi \times 10^{-7})(2000)(5.0)(\pi)(0.04)^2 \sin(100\pi t)

ΦB(t)=(5.03×10−5)sin⁡(100πt) Wb\Phi_B(t) = (5.03 \times 10^{-5}) \sin(100\pi t) \text{ Wb}

ΦB(t)=5.03×10−5sin⁡(100πt) Wb\boxed{\Phi_B(t) = 5.03 \times 10^{-5} \sin(100\pi t) \text{ Wb}}

(b) Maximum induced EMF:

E(t)=−dΦBdt=−Φ0ωcos⁡(ωt)\mathcal{E}(t) = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt} = -\Phi_0 \omega \cos(\omega t)

where Φ0=5.03×10−5\Phi_0 = 5.03 \times 10^{-5} Wb

∣Emax∣=Φ0ω=(5.03×10−5)(100π)|\mathcal{E}_{max}| = \Phi_0 \omega = (5.03 \times 10^{-5})(100\pi)

∣Emax∣=0.0158 V=15.8 mV|\mathcal{E}_{max}| = \boxed{0.0158 \text{ V} = 15.8 \text{ mV}}

(c) Maximum power:

Maximum current: Imax=∣Emax∣R=0.01580.5=0.0316 AI_{max} = \frac{|\mathcal{E}_{max}|}{R} = \frac{0.0158}{0.5} = 0.0316 \text{ A}

Pmax=Imax2R=(0.0316)2(0.5)P_{max} = I_{max}^2 R = (0.0316)^2(0.5)

Pmax=5.0×10−4 W=0.50 mWP_{max} = \boxed{5.0 \times 10^{-4} \text{ W} = 0.50 \text{ mW}}

Or: Pmax=Emax2R=(0.0158)20.5=5.0×10−4P_{max} = \frac{\mathcal{E}_{max}^2}{R} = \frac{(0.0158)^2}{0.5} = 5.0 \times 10^{-4} W ✓

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📌 Related Topics in Electromagnetic Induction

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Electromagnetic induction and induced EMF
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