Induced EMF and a square copper loop

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a square copper loop situated in a changing magnetic field, specifically focusing on the calculation of induced electromotive force (emf) using Faraday's law. The original poster expresses confusion regarding their calculations and the correct application of the relevant equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the application of Faraday's law and the relationship between magnetic fields and induced emf. Questions arise about the interpretation of the magnetic field's components and the significance of constants in the equations provided.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered alternative approaches to the problem, including the use of sine versus cosine in calculations. There is ongoing exploration of the implications of the magnetic field's time dependence and how it affects the induced emf. The discussion reflects a mix of understanding and confusion, with no clear consensus reached on the correct method.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of integrating calculus concepts, such as partial derivatives, into their understanding of the problem. There is also mention of the original magnetic field value and its role in the calculations, which remains a point of inquiry.

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Hello,
I don't know if you will find this question silly or not because I know it shouldn't be that hard but for some reason I keep getting it wrong. Here it is:

A square copper loop, with sides of length 10.4 cm, is located in a region of changing magnetic field. The direction of the magnetic field makes an angle of 34.0 degrees with the plane of the loop. The time-changing (increasing) field has the following time dependence: B(t)=0.600 T+(3.30×10-3 T/s)t.
Find the magnitude of the induced emf in the copper loop for times t>0.

Alright, so I was thinking this should be an easy faraday's law problem and I tried faraday's law: E = - d (flux)/dt = (B)(A)(cos(theta))*dB/dt
so I did: E = .6 * .104^2 * cos(34) * 3.3*10^-3 and I got 1.775 * 10^-5, which is wrong. The correct answer is 2.00 * 10^-5. Any ideas to what I did wrong?

Thanks
 
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is T just a constant?
 
If you mean time, no I don't think it's constant but I don't think the answer depends on it. I know they give an equation for B(t) but they don't give any specific time, so the answer can't depend on it.

The magnetic field is not constant and they give the rate of change in the equation (in units of T/s), which I used but I don't know why I get the answer wrong.
 
I just realized T is Telsa. ok, give me a sec.
 
ok, I got the answer. It is 1.95 *10^-5 V

I got this by using the formula:

Vemf = - surface_integral [ ( partial B-> / partial t ) dot product (dS)]

Here are the steps:

1. Take the square loop plane on Y=0
2. Draw the B vector at a 35 degree angle to the plane
3. Since your trying to find out the portion of the magnetic field that goes through the loop the only component of the B field that goes through is By. Therefore:

By -> = (.6+3.3*10^-3 *t)*sin(34)

4. Since the formula wants: partial B /partial t , then:

dBy/dt = 3.3*10^-3 *sin(34) ay

(ay is the unit vector in the y direction)

5. Since the the plane is on X=0 and Y=0 the area dS points in the y direction. Therefore dS = dx*dz *ay

6. The dot product of dBy/dt and dS is: 3.3*10^-3 *dx*dz

7. Integrate the surface from x=0 to x=10.4cm and z=0 to z=10.4cm

(I really need to learn latex )
 
Last edited:
First, I want to thank you dduardo for this very fast response. I don't really understand your explanation for the answer very well, but I noticed that you used sin(34) not cos(34). I drew the picture and figured out why you used sin (and felt like an idiot for not noticing that). Anyways, I kept trying to solve it with sin instead of cos and came up with this: .104^2 * sin(34) * 3*10^-3 = 1.9959*10^-5. I am pretty sure that is the right answer, but I still don't know why this works. Also, why did they give me the .6 T in the problem?

The equation says that (B->.A->)*(change in flux over time) = EMF

What I came up with is just the area * cos(theta) *the change in flux over time which gave me the right answer. What happened to the original B?

PS. I am in calculus two (don't know partial derivatives yet)
Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
All the partial derivative means is take the derviative of the function in terms of one variable and let everything else be a constant.
 
  • #10
The equation:

(B->.A->)*(change in flux over time) = EMF

is wrong

The actual equation is:

Vemf = - d flux / dt
 
  • #11
Alright, I think I get it. Thanks very much :biggrin:
 

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