Clarification about Mutual Inductance

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of mutual inductance between two coils, particularly focusing on the effects of one coil being rotated to a perpendicular position relative to the other. Participants are exploring the implications of this rotation on magnetic flux and the area of the coils involved.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the validity of assuming zero flux through the second coil when it is rotated 90 degrees. There is also confusion regarding how to define the area of the coil, especially since one participant views it as an open loop rather than a closed circuit.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights regarding the nature of the coils and the assumptions about their geometry. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity introduced by the physical characteristics of the coils, such as thickness and winding. Multiple interpretations of the problem setup are being explored, particularly concerning the representation of the coils in diagrams.

Contextual Notes

Participants note difficulties with previewing the homework statement and relevant equations, which may affect their understanding of the problem. There is also mention of a potential misunderstanding due to the representation of the coils in the provided figures.

Physicslearner500039
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Homework Statement
In if coil 2 is turned so that its axis is vertical, does the mutual inductance increase or decrease? Explain.
Relevant Equations
emf = ##\frac {-N_{2} {d\phi}_{B2}} {dt}## ## M_{21} = \frac {{N_2}{\phi}_{B2}} {i_1}##
emf = ##\frac {-N_{2} {d\phi}_{B2}} {dt}## ## M_{21} = \frac {{N_2}{\phi}_{B2}} {i_1}## are the equations
1599881309992.png

This is the original position, now the coil 2 is moved so the axis is perpendicular. The flux ##{\phi}_{B2}## due to i1 is the amount of flux cutting the coil 2 due to change in current i1. My answer is 0, since no flux cuts the Coil 2 in 90 degrees position. Is it correct? My main confusion is with respect to the area of the coil. How to consider it? i do not see the coil 2 as closed circuit it is open loop. So, what will be the area. Please advise.

Note: One another problem is i cannot preview the Homework statement and the Relevant Equations section. I have a workaround for the equations section, but still not sure if latex symbols work for the Homework statement. Please advise.
 
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Physicslearner500039 said:
My answer is 0, since no flux cuts the Coil 2 in 90 degrees position. Is it correct?
Hi. You are correct. There is (almost) zero flux through rotated coil-2. I say 'almost' because the coil has finite thickness and is spiral-wound which means a *very* small amount of flux cuts the coil - we can usually treat it as zero.
My main confusion is with respect to the area of the coil. How to consider it? i do not see the coil 2 as closed circuit it is open loop. So, what will be the area.
I'm not sure I understand the question. But see if this helps.

Visualise the flux and area as you have done here. You can then 'see' if flux passes through the coil, rather than being parallel to the coil's plane.

Mathematically, you multiply the *component* of flux perpendicular to the area (i.e. parallel to the area's normal) by the area.

For example, for area A with its normal at angle θ to uniform field B, the flux through the area is Φ = ABcosθ (which is zero if θ = 90º).
not sure if latex symbols work for the Homework statement.
Sorry, can't help with that.
 
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1599913421775.png
When rotated 90 Degrees
1599914127235.png

Is my understanding correct? Please advise.
 
Physicslearner500039 said:
My main confusion is with respect to the area of the coil. How to consider it? i do not see the coil 2 as closed circuit it is open loop. So, what will be the area.
I'm not sure, but I'm wondering if the figure is misleading you. The figure does not show the entire coils. The figure is a "cutaway" figure. The coils are complete circular coils.
 
I agree with TSNy (#4). The coils are meant to be omplete circular ones (or they cannot be called 'coils'!). The diagram is simply a cut-away schematic.

If they were actual open half-coils as shown, there could be no current through either and the question wouldn't make sense.
 
I interpret this as 2 neighboring coils with axes parallel, then one is rotated 90 deg. so that now the axes are mutually perpendicular.

In which case, what is mutual inductance in terms of the two coils' fluxes?
 

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