Lenz's Rule - Doubts, Force, and Magnetic Field

  • Thread starter ehabmozart
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Doubt
In summary, Lenz's law tells us that when there is a change in the magnetic field, it will induce an opposing electric field. This is because of the negative sign in Faraday's law. In the case of a magnet moving towards a loop, the flux increases and the magnet is responsible for this change. The induced electric field will have a direction that opposes the downward magnetic field, resulting in a clockwise current according to the right hand rule. Similarly, in the case of a generator rotating clockwise, the induced electric field will oppose the force of the rotation, resulting in a clockwise current. Lenz's law does not specifically refer to opposing the force of the magnetic field, but rather the change in the magnetic field. However, in
  • #1
ehabmozart
213
0
I have certain doubts with Lenz's Law. Now, consider a horizontal loop. If a magnet with N facing the entrance of the loop is moving towards the loop. By Lenz's, Flux has increased. Who has increased it. The magnet. We oppose the downward B by inducing the UPWARD B. Thus, I is clockwise (RHR). Now, consider a generator initially horizontal (inline) with a West-East B. It rotates clock-wise. What is the direction of E? Who created the change? The movement clockwise. So we oppose the FORCE now. And by RHR, the I is also clockwise. Now my question is does Lenz's Rule tell us about opposing the FORCE of THE MAGNETIC FIELD? What if both occur at the same time? Consider the magnet is still and we move the loop. Do we oppose the loop movement by a FORCE or MAGNETIC FIELD?


Thanks for Helping in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
ehabmozart said:
I have certain doubts with Lenz's Law. Now, consider a horizontal loop. If a magnet with N facing the entrance of the loop is moving towards the loop. By Lenz's, Flux has increased. Who has increased it. The magnet. We oppose the downward B by inducing the UPWARD B. Thus, I is clockwise (RHR). Now, consider a generator initially horizontal (inline) with a West-East B. It rotates clock-wise. What is the direction of E? Who created the change? The movement clockwise. So we oppose the FORCE now. And by RHR, the I is also clockwise. Now my question is does Lenz's Rule tell us about opposing the FORCE of THE MAGNETIC FIELD? What if both occur at the same time? Consider the magnet is still and we move the loop. Do we oppose the loop movement by a FORCE or MAGNETIC FIELD?


Thanks for Helping in advance!

Why do you want to make a distinction? The force is there because of the current in the loop - which is only there because of the presence of the field and the movement.
 
  • #3
ehabmozart said:
Now my question is does Lenz's Rule tell us about opposing the FORCE of THE MAGNETIC FIELD? What if both occur at the same time? Consider the magnet is still and we move the loop. Do we oppose the loop movement by a FORCE or MAGNETIC FIELD?
Lenz's law is simply the negative sign in Faraday's law. Faraday's law deals only with the fields, not the forces. So wrt Lenz's law the change is opposed by the fields.

Of course, as sophiecentaur correctly points out the distinction is rather academic since the Lorentz force equation also holds and always works out so that the force opposes the motion also. I.e. the specification of the opposition by the fields is a matter of semantics (the term "Lenz's law" refers to the fields), but physically the movement is opposed by both!
 

1. What is Lenz's rule and how does it relate to electromagnetism?

Lenz's rule states that the direction of an induced current in a conductor will always be such that it opposes the change that caused it. This rule is a consequence of Faraday's law of induction and is important in understanding the behavior of electromagnetic systems.

2. How can Lenz's rule be applied to practical situations?

Lenz's rule can be applied to understand the direction of induced currents in generators, transformers, and other electrical devices. It can also be used to predict the direction of motion of a conductor in a magnetic field.

3. Is Lenz's rule always true?

Yes, Lenz's rule is a fundamental law of electromagnetism and is always true. It is based on the principle of conservation of energy and is supported by experimental evidence.

4. How does Lenz's rule affect the strength of a magnetic field?

Lenz's rule does not directly affect the strength of a magnetic field. Instead, it determines the direction of the induced current, which in turn affects the strength of the magnetic field produced by the current.

5. Can Lenz's rule be extended to other fields besides electromagnetism?

Lenz's rule is specific to electromagnetism and cannot be directly applied to other fields. However, similar principles of conservation and opposing forces may apply in other areas of physics.

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
5K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
164
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
20
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
932
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • General Engineering
Replies
9
Views
845
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
184
Back
Top