Electromagnetic Induction

Induced EMF

 An EMF will be induced in a conductor if there is relative movement between

the conductor and the magnetic field
 It will also be induced if the conductor is stationary in a changing magnetic field
 For an electrical conductor moving in a fixed magnetic field
o The conductor (e.g wire) cuts through the fields lines
o This induces an EMF in the wire

Moving an electrical conductor in a magnetic field to induce an EMF

When the magnet enters the coil, the field lines cut through the turns, inducing an
EMF

 For a fixed conductor in a changing magnetic filed

o As the magnet moved through the conductor (e.g. a coil), the field
lines cut through the turns on the conductor (each individual wire)
o This induces an EMF in the coil
A magnet moved towards a wire creates a changing magnetic field and induces a
current in the wire

 A sensitive voltmeter can be used to measure the size of the induced EMF
 If the conductor is part of a complete circuit then a current is induced in the
conductor
o This can be detected by an ammeter

Worked example

A coil of wire is connected to a sensitive voltmeter. When a magnet is pushed into the
coil the needle on the voltmeter will deflect to the right as shown in the diagram below.

What will happen to the pointer on the voltmeter when the magnet is stationary in the
centre of the coil?

A The needle will deflect to the left

B The needle will deflect to the right

C There will be no deflection of the needle

D The needle will deflect to the left and then to the right
ANSWER: C

o C is correct because there the magnet is stationary

o This means there is no relative movement between the coil and the
magnetic field, therefore there are no magnetic field lines being cut
o If the magnetic field lines are not being cut then there will not be a
potential difference induced

o A, B & D are incorrect because a deflection on the voltmeter would

indicate that a potential difference has been induced
o This could only happen if there was relative movement between the coil
and the magnetic field

Lenz's Law
 Lenz Law states:

The direction of an induced potential difference always opposes the change that
produces it

 This means that any magnetic field created by the potential difference will act so
that it tries to stop the wire or magnet from moving

Demonstrating Lenz's Law

 If a magnet is pushed north end first into a coil of wire then the end of the coil
closest to the magnet will become a north pole
 Explanation
o Due to the generator effect, a potential difference will be induced in the
coil
o The induced potential difference always opposes the change that
produces it
o The coil will apply a force to oppose the magnet being pushed into the coil
o Therefore, the end of the coil closest to the magnet will become a north
pole
o This means it will repel the north pole of the magnet

Magnet being pushed into a coil of wire

  If a magnet is now pulled away from the coil of wire then the end of the coil
closest to the magnet will become a south pole
 Explanation:
o Due to the generator effect, a potential difference will be induced in the
coil
o The induced potential difference always opposes the change that
produces it
o The coil will apply a force to oppose the magnet being pulled away from
the coil
o Therefore, the end of the coil closest to the magnet will become a south
pole
o This means it will attract the north pole of the magnet

Magnet being pulled away from a coil of wire

Right-Hand Dynamo Rule

 When moving a wire through a magnetic field, the direction of the induced EMF
can be worked out by using the Right-Hand Dynamo rule

The Right-Hand Dynamo rule can be used to deduce the direction of the induced
EMF
  To use the rule:

First Finger = Field:


o Start by pointing the first finger (on the right hand) in the direction of
the field

ThuMb = Motion:


o Next, point the thumb in the direction that the wire is moving in

SeCond = Current:


o The Second finger will now be pointing in the direction of the current (or,
strictly speaking, the EMF)

 The direction of the induced EMF always opposes the change that produces it
o This means that any magnetic field created by the EMF will act so that it
tries to stop the wire or magnet from moving

Exam Tip

Remember that current is always in the direction of positive charge carriers. Therefore,
current flows from the positive to the negative terminal of the battery.

Demonstrating Induction
 An EMF can be induced either when:
o A conductor, such as a wire, cuts through a magnetic field
o The direction of a magnetic field through a coil changes
 Electromagnetic induction is used in:
o Electrical generators which convert mechanical energy to electrical energy
o Transformers which are used in electrical power transmission
 This phenomenon can easily be demonstrated with a magnet and a coil

Experiment 1: Moving a magnet through a coil

 When a coil is connected to a sensitive voltmeter, a bar magnet can be moved in and out
of the coil to induce an EMF
 A bar magnet is moved through a coil connected to a voltmeter to induce an EMF

The expected results are:

 When the bar magnet is not moving, the voltmeter shows a zero reading
o When the bar magnet is held still inside, or outside, the coil, there is no cutting of
magnetic field lines, so, there is no EMF induced
 When the bar magnet begins to move inside the coil, there is a reading on the voltmeter
o As the bar magnet moves, its magnetic field lines ‘cut through’ the coil
o This induces an EMF within the coil, shown momentarily by the reading on the
voltmeter
 When the bar magnet is taken back out of the coil, an e.m.f is induced in the opposite
direction (a result of Lenz's law)
o As the magnet changes direction, the direction of the current changes
o The voltmeter will momentarily show a reading with the opposite sign
 Increasing the speed of the magnet induces an e.m.f with a higher magnitude
 The direction of the electric current, and e.m.f, induced in the conductor is such that
it opposes the change that produces it
o This is Lenz's law

An e.m.f is induced only when the bar magnet is moving through the coil
  Factors that will increase the induced EMF are:
o Moving the magnet faster through the coil
o Adding more turns to the coil
o Increasing the strength of the bar magnet

Experiment 2: Moving a wire through a magnet

 When a long wire is connected to a voltmeter and moved between two magnets, an EMF
is induced
 The pattern of a magnetic field in a wire can be investigated using this set up
o Note: there is no current flowing through the wire to start with

A wire is moved between two magnets connected to a voltmeter to induce an EMF

The expected results are:

 When the wire is not moving, the voltmeter shows a zero reading
o When the wire is held still inside, or outside, the magnets, the rate of change of
flux is zero, so, there is no EMF induced
 As the wire is moved through between the magnets, an EMF is induced within the wire,
shown momentarily by the reading on the voltmeter
o As the wire moves, it ‘cuts through’ the magnetic field lines of the magnet,
generating a change in magnetic flux

 When the wire is taken back out of the magnet, an EMF is induced in the opposite
direction
o As the wire changes direction, the direction of the current changes
o The voltmeter will momentarily show a reading with the opposite sign
 As before, the direction of the electric current, and e.m.f, induced in the conductor is such
that it opposes the change that produces it
 Factors that will increase the induced e.m.f are:
o Increasing the length of the wire
o Moving the wire between the magnets faster
o Increasing the strength of the magnets
 Factors Affecting EM Induction
 The magnitude (size) of the induced EMF is determined by:
o The speed at which the wire, coil or magnet is moved
o The number of turns on the coils of wire
o The size of the coils
o The strength of the magnetic field

 The direction of the induced potential difference is determined by:

o The orientation of the poles of the magnet

1. The speed at which the wire, coil or magnet is moved:

 Increasing the speed will increase the rate at which the magnetic field lines are
cut

o This will increase the induced potential difference

2. The number of turns on the coils in the wire:

o Increasing the number of turns on the coils in the wire will increase the
potential difference induced
o This is because each coil will cut through the magnetic field lines and the total
potential difference induced will be the result of all of the coils cutting the
magnetic field lines

3. The size of the coils:Increasing the area of the coils will increase the potential
difference induced.This is because there will be more wire to cut through the magnetic field
lines

4. The strength of the magnetic field: Increasing the strength of the magnetic field
will increase the potential difference induced

5. The orientation of the poles of the magnet: Reversing the direction in which the wire, coil or
magnet is moved

Exam Tip

When discussing factors affecting the induced potential difference:

 Make sure you state:

o “Add more turns to the coil” instead of “Add more coils”
o This is because these statements do not mean the same thing
 Likewise, when referring to the magnet, use the phrase:
o “A stronger magnet instead of “A bigger magnet”
o This is because larger magnets are not necessarily stronger