Does the backward emf reach the Source emf ?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of backward electromotive force (emf) in a direct current (d.c.) circuit containing a solenoid. Participants explore the relationship between the backward emf and the source emf, particularly focusing on how current continues to flow in the presence of these opposing forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the backward emf ever reaches the source emf and how current continues to flow if it does.
  • Another participant explains that the total voltage drop across the inductor is influenced by the backward emf and provides equations based on Kirchhoff's Laws to illustrate how the current is affected by the back emf.
  • A subsequent post raises a question about the relationship between the induced emf and the original voltage, suggesting an equation that contrasts with the previous explanation.
  • Another participant clarifies that the potential due to resistance also opposes the current, indicating that both the back emf and the voltage due to resistance act in the same direction, depending on sign convention.
  • One participant seeks confirmation on the behavior of voltage across an inductor when it is the only component in the circuit, questioning if it remains constant regardless of changes in magnetic flux.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between the backward emf and the source emf, with some proposing equations that suggest opposing effects while others clarify the interactions. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on the nature of these electrical phenomena.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference Kirchhoff's Laws and sign conventions, indicating that assumptions about voltage drops and current flow are critical to the discussion. The implications of resistance and inductance in the circuit are also highlighted, but specific mathematical steps remain unresolved.

B4ssHunter
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when turning on a d.c circuit connected to a very simple solenoid, does the backward emf ever reach the source emf ? if it does then how does the current continue to flow ?
 
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It affects the entire circuit, but what you should be thinking about are the potential differences. Let's take a very simple circuit consisting of a battery, a resistor, an inductor coil, and a switch. For simplicity, let's assume that only resistor and inductor have resistances, labeled R1 and R2 rsepectively, and only inductor has inductance.

Once with close the circuit with the switch, current is going to start flowing. The increasing magnetic field in the inductor will induce electric field, which will cause back EMF. What does that mean? It means that the total voltage drop across the inductor is going to be VI = VEMF + I R2. Resistor, on the other hand, simply follows Ohm's law, and VR = I R1. We know that current I is the same everywhere. And we know that total of all voltage drops around the circuit must cancel out. (Kirchoff's Laws.) So V - VR - VI = 0, where V is voltage across battery.

These equations are pretty easy to solve. Just substituting the voltages we know, we get the equation: V - VEMF = I (R1+R2). So the current in the entire circuit is going to be affected by the amount of back EMF. And as the current changes, voltage across the resistor is going to change as well. And so the back EMF affects the entire circuit. Furthermore, if VEMF > V, it can get the current to flow the wrong way. This will never happen in this particular circuit, but can happen in general.
 
aha \
just a couple of questions
shouldn't Vi = Vemf - IR2 ? since these potential differences are opposite * like two opposing batteries *
now the important one , how much of the original V does the induced Emf reach ? when does V = Vemf ?
 
The I R2 potential also opposes the current. So back EMF and voltage due to resistance are in the same direction.

Of course, this is down to sign convention. You just have to make sure you are consistent.
 
just to make sure i understand it
if the inductor is alone in the circuit with no other resistors , and even the resistance of the inductor = 0 , the voltage across the conductor must always = to 12 voltage correct ? no matter how the flux changes through time
 

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