Can someone explain how moving a magnet induces a current?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter TheTankEngine
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Induction Relativity
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Moving a magnet relative to a wire induces a current due to electromagnetic induction, as explained by Faraday's Law. In the scenario presented, two parallel wires are involved, where Wire 1 carries a current and acts as a magnetic field source. When Wire 2, which may already have electrons in motion, moves closer to Wire 1, a voltage is induced in Wire 2. This induced voltage can drive a current if a conductive path is available, demonstrating the principle that changing the relative motion between a magnetic field and a conductor generates an electric current.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction
  • Basic knowledge of electric current and voltage
  • Familiarity with the concept of magnetic fields
  • Concept of relative motion in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction in detail
  • Explore the relationship between magnetic fields and electric currents
  • Learn about the principles of Lorentz force and its applications
  • Investigate the effects of relative motion on electromagnetic systems
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of electromagnetism and electric current generation.

TheTankEngine
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
I have heard multiple explanations of how relativity causes magnetism, and I think I understand it enough to puzzle it out in my head, but what I don't get is how moving a magnet in relation to a wire induces a current if the electrons are already moving in relation to the wire. Can somebody explain? I am new to this...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Before I spend a lot of time trying to explain let me be sure I understand your question...

Suppose you have 2 parallel wires 1 meter apart. Wire 1 carries a current and so is your 'magnet'. As the wire 2 moves towards wire 1 a voltage will be induced into wire 2. If there is a path for current to flow that voltage will result in current.

Are you asking why the voltage is induced or what would be happening if wire 2 were already carrying a current in the direction of the voltage?
 
Last edited:
sorry for the time,

if the electrons in wire 2 are already moving in relation to the electrons in wire 1, then why does changing their relative motion induce an electric current?
 

Similar threads

Undergrad How induction works within a coil (nuances of it)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Why does a change of magnetic flux induce an EMF?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
High School Experiment issues (electromagnetism)
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
3K
Graduate Induced Electrical Field (Maxwell-Faraday's Law)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Magnetic field as result of length contraction
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
Undergrad The vector math of relative motion of wire-loop & bar magnet
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Charge movement relative to magnetic field frame dependence/invariance
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Undergrad What Causes Induced EMF in Conductive Bars Moving Through Magnetic Fields?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Undergrad Can Fleming's left hand rule be used for induced currents?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K
High School Not sure about the magnetic flux (phi) depending on a cosine function
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K