Electromagnetic induction
6.1 INTRODUCTION
Electricity and magnetism were considered separate and unrelated phenomena for a long time. In the early decades of the nineteenth century, experiments on electric current by Oersted, Ampere and a few others established the fact that electricity and magnetism are inter-related. They found that moving electric charges produce magnetic fields. For example, an electric current deflects a magnetic compass needle placed in its vicinity. This naturally raises the questions like: Is the converse effect possible? Can moving magnets produce electric currents? Does the nature permit such a relation between electricity and magnetism? The answer is resounding yes! The experiments of Michael Faraday in England and Joseph Henry in USA, conducted around 1830, demonstrated conclusively that electric currents were induced in closed coils when subjected to changing magnetic fields. In this chapter, we will study the phenomena associated with changing magnetic fields and understand the underlying principles. The phenomenon in which electric current is generated by varying magnetic fields is appropriately called electromagnetic induction.
When Faraday first made public his discovery that relative motion between a bar magnet and a wire loop produced a small current in the latter, he was asked, “What is the use of it?” His reply was: “What is the use of a new born baby?” The phenomenon of electromagnetic induction is not merely of theoretical or academic interest but also of practical utility. Imagine a world where there is no electricity - no electric lights, no trains, no telephones and no personal computers. The pioneering experiments of Faraday and Henry have led directly to the development of modern day generators and transformers. Today’s civilisation owes its progress to a great extent to the discovery of electromagnetic induction.
6.2 The Experiments of Faraday and Henry
The discovery and understanding of electromagnetic induction are based on a long series of experiments carried out by Faraday and Henry. We shall now describe some of these experiments.
Experiment 6.1
Figure 6.1 shows a coil
Experiment 6.2
In Fig. 6.2 the bar magnet is replaced by a second coil
FIGURE 6.2 Current is induced in coil
Experiment 6.3
The above two experiments involved relative motion between a magnet and a coil and between two coils, respectively. Through another experiment, Faraday showed that this relative motion is not an absolute requirement. Figure 6.3 shows two coils
FIGURE 6.3 Experimental set-up for Experiment 6.3.
It is observed that the galvanometer shows a momentary deflection when the tapping key
6.3 Magnetic Flux
Faraday’s great insight lay in discovering a simple mathematical relation to explain the series of experiments he carried out on electromagnetic induction. However, before we state and appreciate his laws, we must get the same way as electric flux is defined in Chapter 1. Magnetic flux through
a plane of area
where
If the magnetic field has different magnitudes and directions at various parts of a surface as shown in Fig. 6.5, then the magnetic flux through the surface is given by
where ‘all’ stands for summation over all the area elements
6.4 Faraday’s Law of Induction
From the experimental observations, Faraday arrived at a conclusion that an emf is induced in a coil when magnetic flux through the coil changes with time. Experimental observations discussed in Section 6.2 can be explained using this concept.
The motion of a magnet towards or away from coil
FIGURE 6.4 A plane of surface area
FIGURE 6.5 Magnetic field
maximum value in a short time. Consequently, the magnetic flux through the neighbouring coil
Mathematically, the induced emf is given by
The negative sign indicates the direction of
In the case of a closely wound coil of
The induced emf can be increased by increasing the number of turns
From Eqs. (6.1) and (6.2), we see that the flux can be varied by changing any one or more of the terms
Example 6.1 Consider Experiment 6.2. (a) What would you do to obtain a large deflection of the galvanometer? (b) How would you demonstrate the presence of an induced current in the absence of a galvanometer?
Solution
(a) To obtain a large deflection, one or more of the following steps can be taken: (i) Use a rod made of soft iron inside the coil
(b) Replace the galvanometer by a small bulb, the kind one finds in a small torch light. The relative motion between the two coils will cause the bulb to glow and thus demonstrate the presence of an induced current.
In experimental physics one must learn to innovate. Michael Faraday who is ranked as one of the best experimentalists ever, was legendary for his innovative skills.
Example 6.2 A square loop of side
Solution The angle
Final flux,
The change in flux is brought about in
And the magnitude of the current is
Note that the earth’s magnetic field also produces a flux through the loop. But it is a steady field (which does not change within the time span of the experiment) and hence does not induce any emf.
Example 6.3
A circular coil of radius
Solution
Initial flux through the coil,
Final flux after the rotation,
Therefore, estimated value of the induced emf is,
Note that the magnitudes of
6.5 Lenz’s Law and Conservation of Energy
In 1834, German physicist Heinrich Friedrich Lenz (1804-1865) deduced a rule, known as Lenz’s law which gives the polarity of the induced emf in a clear and concise fashion. The statement of the law is:
The polarity of induced emf is such that it tends to produce a current which opposes the change in magnetic flux that produced it.
The negative sign shown in Eq. (6.3) represents this effect. We can understand Lenz’s law by examining Experiment 6.1 in Section 6.2.1. In Fig. 6.1, we see that the North-pole of a bar magnet is being pushed towards the closed coil. As the North-pole of the bar magnet moves towards the coil, the magnetic flux through the coil increases. Hence current is induced in the coil in such a direction that it opposes the increase in flux. This is possible only if the current in the coil is in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to an observer situated on the side of the magnet. Note that magnetic moment associated with this current has North polarity towards the North-pole of the approaching magnet. Similarly, if the Northpole of the magnet is being withdrawn from the coil, the magnetic flux through the coil will decrease. To counter this decrease in magnetic flux, the induced current in the coil flows in clockwise direction and its Southpole faces the receding North-pole of the bar magnet. This would result in an attractive force which opposes the motion of the magnet and the corresponding decrease in flux.
What will happen if an open circuit is used in place of the closed loop in the above example? In this case too, an emf is induced across the open ends of the circuit. The direction of the induced emf can be found
FIGURE 6.6
Illustration of Lenz’s law. using Lenz’s law.
Consider Figs. 6.6 (a) and (b). They provide an easier way to understand the direction of induced currents. Note that the direction shown by
A little reflection on this matter should convince us on the correctness of Lenz’s law. Suppose that the induced current was in the direction opposite to the one depicted in Fig. 6.6(a). In that case, the South-pole due to the induced current will face the approaching North-pole of the magnet. The bar magnet will then be attracted towards the coil at an ever increasing acceleration. A gentle push on the magnet will initiate the process and its velocity and kinetic energy will continuously increase without expending any energy. If this can happen, one could construct a perpetual-motion machine by a suitable arrangement. This violates the law of conservation of energy and hence can not happen.
Now consider the correct case shown in Fig. 6.6(a). In this situation, the bar magnet experiences a repulsive force due to the induced current. Therefore, a person has to do work in moving the magnet. Where does the energy spent by the person go? This energy is dissipated by Joule heating produced by the induced current.
Example 6.4
Figure 6.7 shows planar loops of different shapes moving out of or into a region of a magnetic field which is directed normal to the plane of the loop away from the reader. Determine the direction of induced current in each loop using Lenz’s law.
FIGURE 6.7
Solution
(i) The magnetic flux through the rectangular loop abcd increases, due to the motion of the loop into the region of magnetic field, The induced current must flow along the path bcdab so that it opposes the increasing flux.
(ii) Due to the outward motion, magnetic flux through the triangular loop abc decreases due to which the induced current flows along bacb, so as to oppose the change in flux.
(iii) As the magnetic flux decreases due to motion of the irregular shaped loop abcd out of the region of magnetic field, the induced current flows along cdabc, so as to oppose change in flux.
Note that there are no induced current as long as the loops are completely inside or outside the region of the magnetic field.
Example 6.5
(a) A closed loop is held stationary in the magnetic field between the north and south poles of two permanent magnets held fixed. Can we hope to generate current in the loop by using very strong magnets?
(b) A closed loop moves normal to the constant electric field between the plates of a large capacitor. Is a current induced in the loop (i) when it is wholly inside the region between the capacitor plates (ii) when it is partially outside the plates of the capacitor? The electric field is normal to the plane of the loop.
(c) A rectangular loop and a circular loop are moving out of a uniform magnetic field region (Fig. 6.8) to a field-free region with a constant velocity
(d) Predict the polarity of the capacitor in the situation described by Fig. 6.9.
Solution
FIGURE 6.9
(a) No. However strong the magnet may be, current can be induced only by changing the magnetic flux through the loop.
(b) No current is induced in either case. Current can not be induced by changing the electric flux.
(c) The induced emf is expected to be constant only in the case of the rectangular loop. In the case of circular loop, the rate of change of area of the loop during its passage out of the field region is not constant, hence induced emf will vary accordingly.
(d) The polarity of plate ’
6.6 Motional Electromotive Force
Let us consider a straight conductor moving in a uniform and timeindependent magnetic field. Figure 6.10 shows a rectangular conductor PQRS in which the conductor PQ is free to move. The rod PQ is moved
FIGURE 6.10 The arm
towards the left with a constant velocity
Since
where we have used
It is also possible to explain the motional emf expression in Eq. (6.5) by invoking the Lorentz force acting on the free charge carriers of conductor PQ. Consider any arbitrary charge
The work done in moving the charge from
Since emf is the work done per unit charge,
This equation gives emf induced across the rod
On the other hand, it is not obvious how an emf is induced when a conductor is stationary and the magnetic field is changing - a fact which Faraday verified by numerous experiments. In the case of a stationary conductor, the force on its charges is given by
since
Example 6.6 A metallic rod of
Solution
Method I
As the rod is rotated, free electrons in the rod move towards the outer end due to Lorentz force and get distributed over the ring. Thus, the resulting separation of charges produces an emf across the ends of the rod. At a certain value of emf, there is no more flow of electrons and a steady state is reached. Using Eq. (6.5), the magnitude of the emf generated across a length
Note that we have used
Method II
To calculate the emf, we can imagine a closed loop OPG in which point
where
[Note:
This expression is identical to the expression obtained by Method I and we get the same value of
Example 6.7
A wheel with 10 metallic spokes each
Solution
Induced emf
The number of spokes is immaterial because the emfs across the spokes are in parallel.
6.7 Inductance
An electric current can be induced in a coil by flux change produced by another coil in its vicinity or flux change produced by the same coil. These two situations are described separately in the next two sub-sections. However, in both the cases, the flux through a coil is proportional to the current. That is,
Further, if the geometry of the coil does not vary with time then,
For a closely wound coil of
The constant of proportionality, in this relation, is called inductance. We shall see that inductance depends only on the geometry of the coil and intrinsic material properties. This aspect is akin to capacitance which for a parallel plate capacitor depends on the plate area and plate separation (geometry) and the dielectric constant
Inductance is a scalar quantity. It has the dimensions of
6.7.1 Mutual inductance
Consider Fig. 6.11 which shows two long co-axial solenoids each of length
FIGURE 6.12 Two long co-axial solenoids of same length
When a current
For these simple co-axial solenoids it is possible to calculate
where
Note that we neglected the edge effects and considered the magnetic field
We now consider the reverse case. A current
The flux due to the current
where
Using Eq. (6.11) and Eq. (6.12), we get
We have demonstrated this equality for long co-axial solenoids. However, the relation is far more general. Note that if the inner solenoid was much shorter than (and placed well inside) the outer solenoid, then we could still have calculated the flux linkage
We explained the above example with air as the medium within the solenoids. Instead, if a medium of relative permeability
It is also important to know that the mutual inductance of a pair of coils, solenoids, etc., depends on their separation as well as their relative orientation.
Example 6.8 Two concentric circular coils, one of small radius
Solution Let a current
Thus,
From Eq. (6.12)
Note that we calculated
Now, let us recollect Experiment 6.3 in Section 6.2. In that experiment, emf is induced in coil
Then, from Eq. (6.7), we have
For currents varrying with time,
Since induced emf in coil
We get,
It shows that varying current in a coil can induce emf in a neighbouring coil. The magnitude of the induced emf depends upon the rate of change of current and mutual inductance of the two coils.
6.7.2 Self-inductance
In the previous sub-section, we considered the flux in one solenoid due to the current in the other. It is also possible that emf is induced in a single isolated coil due to change of flux through the coil by means of varying the current through the same coil. This phenomenon is called self-induction. In this case, flux linkage through a coil of
where constant of proportionality
Thus, the self-induced emf always opposes any change (increase or decrease) of current in the coil.
It is possible to calculate the self-inductance for circuits with simple geometries. Let us calculate the self-inductance of a long solenoid of crosssectional area
where
If we fill the inside of the solenoid with a material of relative permeability
The self-inductance of the coil depends on its geometry and on the permeability of the medium.
The self-induced emf is also called the back emf as it opposes any change in the current in a circuit. Physically, the self-inductance plays
the role of inertia. It is the electromagnetic analogue of mass in mechanics. So, work needs to be done against the back
If we ignore the resistive losses and consider only inductive effect, then using Eq. (6.16),
Total amount of work done in establishing the current
Thus, the energy required to build up the current
This expression reminds us of
Consider the general case of currents flowing simultaneously in two nearby coils. The flux linked with one coil will be the sum of two fluxes which exist independently. Equation (6.7) would be modified into
where
Therefore, using Faraday’s law,
Example 6.9 (a) Obtain the expression for the magnetic energy stored in a solenoid in terms of magnetic field
Solution
(a) From Eq. (6.17), the magnetic energy is
(b) The magnetic energy per unit volume is
We have already obtained the relation for the electrostatic energy stored per unit volume in a parallel plate capacitor (refer to Chapter 2, Eq. 2.73),
In both the cases energy is proportional to the square of the field strength. Equations (6.18) and (2.73) have been derived for special cases: a solenoid and a parallel plate capacitor, respectively. But they are general and valid for any region of space in which a magnetic field or/and an electric field exist.
6.8 AC Generator
The phenomenon of electromagnetic induction has been technologically exploited in many ways. An exceptionally important application is the generation of alternating currents (ac). The modern ac generator with a typical output capacity of
The basic elements of an ac generator are shown in Fig. 6.13. It consists of a coil mounted on a rotor shaft. The axis of rotation of the coil is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field. The coil (called armature) is mechanically rotated in the uniform magnetic field by some external means. The rotation of the coil causes the magnetic flux through it to change, so an emf is induced in the coil. The ends of the coil are connected to an external circuit by means of slip rings and brushes.
When the coil is rotated with a constant angular speed
From Faraday’s law, the induced emf for the rotating coil of
Thus, the instantaneous value of the emf is
where NBA
Since the value of the sine fuction varies between +1 and -1 , the sign, or polarity of the emf changes with time. Note from Fig. 6.14 that the emf has its extremum value when
The direction of the current changes periodically and therefore the current is called alternating current (ac). Since
where
Note that Eq. (6.20) and (6.21) give the instantaneous value of the emf and
In commercial generators, the mechanical energy required for rotation of the armature is provided by water falling from a height, for example, from dams. These are called hydro-electric generators. Alternatively, water is heated to produce steam using coal or other sources. The steam at high pressure produces the rotation of the armature. These are called thermal generators. Instead of coal, if a nuclear fuel is used, we get nuclear power generators. Modern day generators produce electric power as high as
FIGURE 6.14 An alternating emf is generated by a loop of wire rotating in a magnetic field.
up 5 million
Example 6.10 Kamla peddles a stationary bicycle. The pedals of the bicycle are attached to a 100 turn coil of area
Solution Here
The maximum voltage is
We urge you to explore such alternative possibilities for power generation.
SUMMARY
1. The magnetic flux through a surface of area
where
2. Faraday’s laws of induction imply that the emf induced in a coil of
Here
3. Lenz’s law states that the polarity of the induced emf is such that it tends to produce a current which opposes the change in magnetic flux that produces it. The negative sign in the expression for Faraday’s law indicates this fact.
4. When a metal rod of length
5. Inductance is the ratio of the flux-linkage to current. It is equal to
6. A changing current in a coil (coil 2) can induce an emf in a nearby coil (coil 1). This relation is given by,
The quantity
7. When a current in a coil changes, it induces a back emf in the same coil. The self-induced emf is given by,
8. The self-inductance of a long solenoid, the core of which consists of a magnetic material of relative permeability
where
9. In an ac generator, mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy by virtue of electromagnetic induction. If coil of
where we have assumed that at time
Buantity | Symbol | Units | Dimensions | Equations |
---|---|---|---|---|
Magnetic Flux | ||||
EMF | ||||
Mutual Inductance | ||||
Self Inductance |
POINTS TO PONDER
1. Electricity and magnetism are intimately related. In the early part of the nineteenth century, the experiments of Oersted, Ampere and others established that moving charges (currents) produce a magnetic field. Somewhat later, around 1830, the experiments of Faraday and Henry demonstrated that a moving magnet can induce electric current.
2. In a closed circuit, electric currents are induced so as to oppose the changing magnetic flux. It is as per the law of conservation of energy. However, in case of an open circuit, an emf is induced across its ends. How is it related to the flux change?
3. The motional emf discussed in Section 6.5 can be argued independently from Faraday’s law using the Lorentz force on moving charges. However, even if the charges are stationary [and the
EXERCISES
6.1 Predict the direction of induced current in the situations described by the following Figs. 6.15(a) to (f).
FIGURE 6.15
Show Answer
Answer
The direction of the induced current in a closed loop is given by Lenz’s law. The given pairs of figures show the direction of the induced current when the North pole of a bar magnet is moved towards and away from a closed loop respectively.
Using Lenz’s rule, the direction of the induced current in the given situations can be predicted as follows:
The direction of the induced current is along qrpq.
The direction of the induced current is along prqp.
The direction of the induced current is along
The direction of the induced current is along
The direction of the induced current is along xryx.
No current is induced since the field lines are lying in the plane of the closed loop.
6.2 Use Lenz’s law to determine the direction of induced current in the situations described by Fig. 6.16:
(a) A wire of irregular shape turning into a circular shape; (b) A circular loop being deformed into a narrow straight wire.
FIGURE 6.16
Show Answer
Answer
(a) According to Lenz’s law, the magnetic flux produced by the induced current opposes the cause of induction. It defines the direction of flow of induced current.
In the given closed loop, the loop is placed in a magnetic field and it is changing its shape from irregular to circular. During this change the magnetic flux linked with it increases, so according to Lenz’s law, the induced current should produce magnetic flux such that it reduces the flux linked to the coil.
The induced magnetic flux should be in opposite direction to the original flux. Thus, the current should flow in anti clockwise direction.
Thus, the direction of the induced current is adcba.
(b) As the circular loop is being deformed into a narrow straight line, the magnetic flux linked to the loop will decrease and according to Lenz’s law, the induced current should oppose the cause of change. Therefore, the induced flux should be produced in the direction of the original flux.
Therefore, the induced current should flow in anti clockwise direction.
Thus, the direction of induced current is a ′ d ′ c ′ b ′ .
6.3 A long solenoid with 15 turns per
Show Answer
Answer
Number of turns on the solenoid
Number of turns per unit length,
The solenoid has a small loop of area,
Current carried by the solenoid changes from
Change in time,
Induced
Where,
Hence, equation
Hence, the induced voltage in the loop is
Show Answer
Answer
Length of the rectangular wire,
Width of the rectangular wire,
Hence, area of the rectangular loop,
Magnetic field strength,
Velocity of the loop,
Emf developed in the loop is given as:
Time taken to travel along the width,
Hence, the induced voltage is
Emf developed,
Time taken to travel along the length,
Hence, the induced voltage is
Show Answer
Answer6.6 A horizontal straight wire
(a) What is the instantaneous value of the emf induced in the wire?
(b) What is the direction of the emf?
(c) Which end of the wire is at the higher electrical potential?
Show Answer
Answer
Length of the wire,
Falling speed of the wire,
Magnetic field strength,
Emf induced in the wire,
Using Fleming’s right hand rule, it can be inferred that the direction of the induced emf is from West to East.
The eastern end of the wire is at a higher potential.
Show Answer
Answer
Initial current,
Final current,
Change in current,
Time taken for the change,
Average emf,
For self-inductance
Hence, the self induction of the coil is
Show Answer
Answer
Mutual inductance of a pair of coils,
Initial current,
Final current
Change in current,
Time taken for the change,
Induced emf,
Where
Emf is related with mutual inductance as:
Equating equations (1) and (2), we get
Hence, the change in the flux linkage is