Fiveable

๐ŸงฒElectromagnetism I Unit 10 Review

QR code for Electromagnetism I practice questions

10.1 Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction

๐ŸงฒElectromagnetism I
Unit 10 Review

10.1 Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
๐ŸงฒElectromagnetism I
Unit & Topic Study Guides

Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction is a game-changer in physics. It explains how changing magnetic fields create electric currents, powering everything from generators to transformers. This law connects magnetism and electricity, showing they're two sides of the same coin.

Understanding Faraday's law is key to grasping electromagnetic induction. It reveals how we can generate electricity from motion, and how transformers work. This knowledge is crucial for modern tech and power systems.

Magnetic Flux and Faraday's Law

Magnetic Flux and Its Rate of Change

  • Magnetic flux ($\Phi_B$) quantifies the amount of magnetic field lines passing through a surface
    • Calculated using the equation $\Phi_B = \int \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{A}$, where $\vec{B}$ is the magnetic field and $d\vec{A}$ is the area element vector
    • Depends on the strength of the magnetic field, the area of the surface, and the orientation of the surface relative to the field
    • Measured in units of weber (Wb) or tesla-square meter ($\text{T} \cdot \text{m}^2$)
  • Rate of change of magnetic flux ($\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$) describes how quickly the magnetic flux through a surface is changing over time
    • Determined by factors such as the change in magnetic field strength, the change in area of the surface, or the change in orientation of the surface relative to the field
    • Plays a crucial role in inducing an electromotive force (emf) in a conductor according to Faraday's law

Faraday's Law and Flux Linkage

  • Faraday's law states that the induced emf in a closed loop is equal to the negative rate of change of magnetic flux through the loop
    • Mathematically expressed as $\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$, where $\mathcal{E}$ is the induced emf and $\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$ is the rate of change of magnetic flux
    • The negative sign indicates that the induced emf opposes the change in magnetic flux (Lenz's law)
    • Explains the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, where a changing magnetic field induces an electric current in a conductor
  • Flux linkage ($\lambda$) is the product of the number of turns in a coil ($N$) and the magnetic flux through each turn ($\Phi_B$)
    • Calculated using the equation $\lambda = N\Phi_B$
    • Represents the total magnetic flux linked with a coil or a closed loop
    • Faraday's law can also be expressed in terms of flux linkage as $\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d\lambda}{dt}$, where $\frac{d\lambda}{dt}$ is the rate of change of flux linkage

Induced EMF and Applications

Induced EMF in Conductors

  • Induced emf is the voltage generated in a conductor when it experiences a change in magnetic flux
    • Occurs due to the relative motion between a conductor and a magnetic field or due to a change in the magnetic field itself
    • The magnitude of the induced emf depends on the rate of change of magnetic flux and the properties of the conductor
    • Can be enhanced by increasing the number of turns in a coil, the strength of the magnetic field, or the speed of relative motion
  • Solenoid is a cylindrical coil of wire that produces a magnetic field when an electric current passes through it
    • The induced emf in a solenoid is proportional to the rate of change of current in the coil
    • Solenoids are used in various applications, such as electromagnets, relays, and valves
    • The induced emf in a solenoid can be calculated using Faraday's law, considering the number of turns and the rate of change of magnetic flux

Transformers and Their Applications

  • Transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy between two circuits through electromagnetic induction
    • Consists of two coils (primary and secondary) wound around a common iron core
    • The primary coil is connected to an AC power source, while the secondary coil delivers the induced emf to the load
    • The ratio of the number of turns in the primary and secondary coils determines the voltage transformation ratio
  • Transformers are widely used in power transmission and distribution systems to step up or step down the voltage levels
    • Step-up transformers increase the voltage for efficient long-distance transmission, reducing power losses
    • Step-down transformers decrease the voltage to safer levels for distribution and household use
  • Transformers also find applications in electronic devices, such as power adapters and isolation transformers, to provide electrical isolation and voltage conversion