Electromagnetic induction is the production of an electrical potential difference (or

voltage) or an induced e.m.f. in a conductor or across a conductor situated in a

changing magnetic flux or when there is a change in magnetic flux linked with the
conductor.

Faraday's Magnetic Field Induction Experiment.

When Michael Faraday made his discovery of electromagnetic induction in 1831, he

hypothesized that a changing magnetic field is necessary to induce a current in a
nearby circuit. To test his hypothesis he made a coil by wrapping a paper cylinder
with wire. He connected the coil to a galvanometer, and then moved a magnet back
and forth inside the cylinder. When you move the magnet back and forth, notice that
the galvanometer needle moves, indicating that a current is induced in the coil. Notice
also that the needle immediately returns to zero when the magnet is not moving.
Faraday confirmed that a moving magnetic field is necessary in order for
electromagnetic induction to occur.

In this picture an ammeter is connected in the circuit of a conducting loop. When the
bar magnet is moved closer to, or farther from, the loop, an electromotive force
(e.m.f) is induced in the loop. The ammeter indicates currents in different directions
depending on the relative motion of magnet and loop. Notice that, when the magnet
stops moving, the current returns to zero as indicated by the ammeter.

Faraday’s Law of electromagnetic induction:

1. The strength of the induced e.m.f is proportional to the rate of change of the
magnetic flux.
2. In the figure below, a bar magnet is inserted into a solenoid.

3. When there is a relative motion between the magnet and the solenoid, the pointer of
the centre-zero galvanometer is deflected. This shows that an e.m.f. is induced in the
solenoid. When the circuit is complete, an induced current is flowing through the
galvanometer. Keep the magnet at rest and move the solenoid towards the magnet.
The pointer of the galvanometer is also deflected.
4. No e.m.f is induced if the magnet is at rest outside or inside the solenoid:

The magnet and the solenoid move with the same speed in the same direction.
5. The direction of induced e.m.f. (current) is reversed when the magnet is moved out
of the solenoid.

6. The magnitude of the induced e.m.f increases (greater deflection in the

galvanometer) when

The magnet is moved more quickly

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 The number of turns in the solenoid is increased
The strength of the magnet is increased

Lenz’s Law

1. The direction of the induced current can be determined by Lenz’s Law. An

induced current flows in a direction so as to oppose the change producing it.
2. The N-pole of a magnet is moving towards the solenoid as shown in the figure
below.

3. The change that induces current is the N-pole moving towards the solenoid.
According to Lenz’s Law, the direction of the induced current opposes the
change producing it. To oppose the N-pole moving to the coil, the induced
current must produce an N-pole at the end X. Hence, the direction of the
induced current is as shown.
4. The N-pole of a magnet is moving away from the solenoid as shown in the
figure below.

5. The change that induces current is the N-pole moving out of the solenoid.
According to Lenz’s Law, the direction of the induced current opposes the
change producing it. To oppose the N-pole moving out of the coil, the induced
current must produce an S-pole at the end X.

Fleming’s Right Hand Rule.

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1. When a straight wire is moved inside a magnetic field and the magnetic field lines
are cut by the wire, induced current is produced.

2. The direction of induced current in the straight wire can be determined by using
Fleming’s Right Hand Rule or Dynamo Rule. If the thumb and the two first two
fingers of the right hand are held at right angles to each other, with the forefinger
pointing in the direction of the field and the thumb pointing in the direction of the
motion, the middle finger will point in the direction of the current.

Simple A.C. Generator

1. A simple a.c. generator consists of a coil rotating about an axis between the poles
of a permanent magnet as shown in the diagram below.

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2. When the coil rotates, the magnet flux through the coil changes and current is
induced in the coil.

3. The ends of the coil are connected to a pair of slips rings. The slip rings rotate with
the coil and are in close contact with two carbon brushes.

4. When the coil rotates, the ionduced current passes thrpough the brushes to an
external circuit.

5. The direction of the induced current changes every half rotation of the coil.

6. The induced current is maximum when the plane of the coil is parallel to the
magnetic field. There is no induced current when the plane of the coil is perpendicular
to the magnetic field.

7. The frequency of the induced current is the number of revolutions of the coil per
second.

8. The induced current can be increased by

Using a coil with more turns

Using a stronger magnet or using a powerful electromagnet to make the fo\ield
stronger
Winding the coil round a soft iron core so that the magnetic field is stringer
Rotating the coil faster.

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 Increasing the speed of rotation of the coil will increase the frequency of the
induced current as well. When the rotating speed is doubled, the frequency is
also doubled.

2. ACTIVITY (50 MINUTES)

1. A bar magnet is rotated on a shaft near to a coil as shown below

A cathode-ray oscilloscope connected to the coil indicates the induced e.m.f. Which
change does not increase the size of the induced e.m.f.?

..........................................................................................................................................

(The direction of rotation of the magnet does not affect the magnitude of the induced
e.m.f. It only changes the direction of the induced e.m.f. The turning speed of the
magnet, magnetic field strength and number of turns of coil will affect the magnitude
of the induced e.m.f.)

2. The e.m.f. induced in a conductor moving at right angles to a magnetic field does
not depend upon ...........................................................................................................

(The resistance of the conductor affects the induced current but not its induced e.m.f.
Induced e.m.f depends on the length and speed of the conductor and the strength of
the magnetic field. It is a constant if all these factors are not changed. However
induced current depends on the resistence of the circuit. It varies if the resistance is
not a constant evevn though e.m.f. remains the same.)

3. The diagram shows how the e.m.f. of a simple generator varies with time.

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What is the frequency and the maximum value of the e.m.f?

......................................................................................................................................

(Maximum e.m.f = peak voltage = 2V

Frequency = 1/period = 1/5 ms = 1/0.005 s = 200 Hz.

Maximum e.m.f is only the peak voltage but not the peak-to-peak voltage. The period
of the e.m.f is the time taken for 1 complete cycle. 5 ms need to be change to 0.005 s.)

3. ASSESSMENT (40 MINUTES)

1. Which diagram correctly gives the direction of the induced current when the
magnet is moved as shown? In each case, the coil of wire is connected in a complete
circuit.

2. A small coil is connected to a sensitive ammeter. The ammeter needle can move to
either side of the zero position. When the magnet is allowed to fall towards the coil,
the ammeter needle moves quickly to the right of the zero position.

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The magnet moves through the coil. How does the ammeter needle move as the
magnet falls away from the coil?
A It does not move
B It gives a steady reading to the right
C It moves quickly to the left of the zero position and then returns to zero
D It moves quickly to the right of the zero position and then returns to zero.
3.A small coil is connected to a galvanometer as shown below. When the magnet is
allowed to fall towards the coil, the galvanometer pointer gives a momentary
deflection to the right of the zero position.

The m agnet moves through the coil and as it falls away from the coil, the
galvanometer pointer
A gives a continuous reading to the left
B gives a momentary deflection to the left
C gives a momentary deflection to the right
D gives a continuous reading to the right
4. The diagram shows a magnet moved into and out of a coil of wire.

What describes the poles produced in the coil at X by the movement of the magnet?

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 North pole in north pole out
A N N
B N S
C S N
D S S
5. The N pole of a bar magnet is pushed into a solenoid as shown in the diagram
below. An electromotive force is induced which moves the galvanometer needle to
the left.

Which action using the same end of the solenoid would produce a deflection in the
same direction?
A puulling a N pole out of the solenoid
B pushing a S pole into the solenoid
C pulling the solenoid away from a N pole
D pulling the solenoid away from a S pole
6. Figure below shows two coils of copper wire wound on soft-iron rod. Each coil can
slide easily on the rod. Coil P is connected in series to a battery and a switch S. Coil Q
is connected to a sensitive centre-zero meter. As S is closed, adeflection is seen on the
meter for a short time, during this time the coils slide apart a little.
soft iron rod

(a) Explain briefly why there is a deflection on the meter.

(b) State and explain what would you expect to onserve on the meter.

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(c) What would be the effect on the change you have described in (a) if the soft-iron
rod were removed and a wooden rod put in its place?
7. Figure below shows two coils of wire on a wooden core. Core P is connected to a
battery in a series with a switch. Coil Q is connected to a sensitive ammeter. When the
switch is closed there is a short-lived deflection on the ammater.

(a) In the figure above draw the magnetic field line pattern set up in and around coil P
when there is a current in coil P.
(b) What name is given to the effect which gives rise to a current in coil q when the
switch in the coil P circuit is closed?
(c) Explain why the direction of the short lived current in the coil Q circuit is from
right to left through the coil.

4. MARKING SCHEME (ANSWER KEY)

1. A According to Lenz’s Law, when the N-pole of the magnet is approaching the
coil, the N-pole of the magnetic field due to the coil must face the N-pole of the
magnet in order to oppose the change. Use Right Hand Grip Rule to determine the
direction of induced current.
2. C Use Lenz’s Law to determine the polarity of the induced manetic poles produced
by the induced current.
3. B Use Lenz’s law to determine the direction of the induced current in the coil. As
the magnet drops towards the coil, the top of the coil must produce a N-pole. As the
magnet moves away from the coil, the bottom of the coil must now produced a N-
pole.
4. B Using Lenz’s Law the pole produced at X must oppose the motion of the magnet.
5. D Using Lenz’s Law when the N pole is pushed towards the solenoid, an N pole is
produced in the right end of the solenoid. If the solenoid is pulled away from a S pole,
an N pole is also produced in the right end of the solenoid which means the deflection
is in the same direction.

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6. (a) When S is closed a current starts to flow through coil P which gives rise to
magnetic field lines which link coils P and Q. Due to this change in magnetic flux
linkage, a current is induced in coil Q which registeres a deflection on the meter.
(b) When S is opened the current decreases to zero which leads to a rapid drop in the
magnetic flux linkage betwween coils P and Q. An induced current flows in coil Q in
the opposite sense to oppose this drop in the flux linkage. Consequently, a deflection
in the opposite direction is registered on the meter and the coils slide towards each
other a little.
(c) A much smaller deflection will be observed.
7.(a)

(b) Electromagnetic induction

(c) Due to Lenz’s Law the current must flow in the indicated direction so that an
opposing magnetic field is set up in Q to oppose the growing magnetic field in P that
is producing the induced current in Q.

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