Confusing diagram of a rotating coil in a magnetic field

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of a diagram depicting a rotating coil in a magnetic field, specifically addressing the transition between a three-dimensional representation and a side view. Participants are exploring the implications of the coil's orientation and the accuracy of the diagram in relation to the physics involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion regarding how the first image of the rotating coil relates to the side view in the second image, questioning the accuracy of the diagram.
  • Another participant suggests that the first image might be an isometric drawing intended to appear three-dimensional, or that the second drawing represents a view down the axis of the coil.
  • A participant raises a concern that if the coil's axis is indeed at an angle, the magnetic flux would always be hitting at an angle, implying that the second drawing may be incorrect.
  • One participant believes the first drawing is a poor representation and prefers to base calculations on the second drawing.
  • A later reply introduces a mathematical approach, discussing the magnetic field and the induced emf using Faraday's Law, while acknowledging difficulty in interpreting the scanned book page.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the accuracy of the diagrams or the implications of the coil's orientation. Multiple competing views remain regarding the interpretation of the images and their physical significance.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the clarity of the diagrams and assumptions regarding the orientation of the coil and the magnetic field, which remain unresolved in the discussion.

Grizzly_1
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TL;DR
The coil diagram provided seems to contradict itself in the next diagram.
Hello all, I am currently studying for a physics a-level qualification in the UK, I use the AQA specification and I am having trouble understanding this image representing a scenario I found in my textbook. The first image in the three part diagram shows this rotating coil and to me, it makes absolutely no sense how from that image, you arrive at the side view in the second picture (I understand the physics of the side view image). Is this a poorly drawn diagram? or am I missing something? As to me it appears that not only is the coil at an angle to the field but also the axis itself is at an angle to the field, wouldn't this fundamentally change how the magnetic field interacted with it? How can the first image turn into the second if the axis isn't aligned at pi/2 rads to the magnetic field?
Any guidance on this is much appreciated, I am thoroughly confused.

Physicsbook1.jpg
 
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2 ideas about this - either they drew the first one as an isometric drawing to "look" 3d.

or the axis really is at an angle, but when you look at the 2nd drawing, you are looking down the axis, and seeing a cross section of the B lines.
 
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scottdave said:
2 ideas about this - either they drew the first one as an isometric drawing to "look" 3d.

or the axis really is at an angle, but when you look at the 2nd drawing, you are looking down the axis, and seeing a cross section of the B lines.
But if the axis really was at an angle, wouldn't this mean that the flux is always hitting at an angle? Surely that means the 2nd drawing is slightly wrong at least.

Thanks for replying!
 
Grizzly_1 said:
Is this a poorly drawn diagram?
scottdave said:
either they drew the first one as an isometric drawing to "look" 3d.
This^^^

I think the first drawing is a poor representation of the problem, and I would base my calculations on the 2nd drawing.
 
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Formulae are much more accurate than any picture and sometimes easier to understand. I guess what they mean to depict is that there is a (for simplicity homogeneous) magnetic field, ##\vec{B}=B \vec{e}_3##, and a rectangular coil with ##N## windings rotating around a perpendicular axis, say the 1-axis, i.e., it's ##\vec{\omega}=\omega \vec{e}_1##. Let's assume the loop is initially oriented such that the rectangle is in the 12-plane. Then the surface-normal vector is given by ##\vec{n}=(0,\sin(\omega t),\cos(\omega t)##.

Unfortunately I cannot read the scanned book page well. I guess what they plot is the emf. So let's calculate the emf. from Faraday's Law. It's given by ##\mathcal{E}=-\dot{\Phi}##, where ##\Phi## is the flux of the magnetic field through the surface. Let ##a## and ##b## the lengths of the sides of the rectangular ##N##-fold loop. Then
$$\Phi=N \vec{B} \cdot a b \vec{n} =a b N B \cos(\omega t) \; \Rightarrow \; \mathcal{E}=-\dot{\Phi}= a b B N \omega \sin(\omega t).$$
 
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