EMF induced in a straight current-carrying conductor

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    Conductor Emf Induced
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction in a straight current-carrying conductor moving in a magnetic field. Participants explore the conditions under which an emf is induced, particularly focusing on different directions of movement relative to the magnetic field and the implications for induced emf across the conductor.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that an emf is induced in a conductor moving at right angles to a magnetic field, questioning whether a different direction of movement could also induce emf.
  • Another participant argues that the movement in direction 2 does not involve 'cutting' magnetic field lines, suggesting that this would result in no induced emf.
  • A participant clarifies that while direction 2 maintains right angles, it would induce emf across the sides of the wire rather than along its length, potentially leading to a charge imbalance without a detectable current.
  • It is noted that only movement in direction 1 will produce a current in the wire, while movement parallel to the wire axis may cause charge segregation but no current flow.
  • Participants discuss the concept of internal fields in the wire that can cancel the induced emf, leading to a restoring force that limits charge displacement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions necessary for inducing emf in the conductor. There is no consensus on whether direction 2 can produce an emf, as some argue it does not cut magnetic field lines effectively, while others suggest it could induce emf across the wire.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the vector cross product and the concept of charge displacement, indicating a need for further clarification on these topics. The discussion reflects varying levels of understanding regarding the underlying physics of electromagnetic induction.

shldon
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An emf is induced in straight current carrying conductor as it moves at at right angles to a uniform and constant magnetic field. My textbook used direction 1 in the image shown to demonstrate this. I asked my teacher if direction two would be possible and he didn't understand me. So I want to know if direction 2 will also produce an emf as it follows the movement at right angles rule I was given so i think it should but it would be across the sides of the wire unlike direction 1 which would be along the length of the wire. And if not please explain why.
InkedWire-cutting-a-magnetic-field_LI.jpg

(wire is the green line)
 
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Hi and welcome to PF.
The easiest 'explanation' is that lines of force need to be 'cut' as a result of the motion. Your idea of '2' movement doesn't involve any cutting of lines so the will be no induced emf. By Cutting, I mean motion so that the line of the wire is at right angles to the direction of the motion and the direction of the field lines. Slightly different angles will produce a lower value of emf until case '2' gives you zero emf. This is very idealised, of course.
Have you 'done' Vector Multiplictation yet? There is a much better answer that involves describing the motion of the wire and the field lines in terms of vectors but the 'cutting' word is the first stab at a description.
 
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thank you for the welcome. i think direction 2 would still satisfy everything being at right angles to each other and the 'cutting' you mentioned. My diagram might not be the best, i don't mean moving it parallel to the magnetic fields lines like from left to right( let's call this direction 3) .To clarify, in direction 1 your moving up and down, while in direction 2 your moving forwards and backwards. So my thinking was that if your moving forwards and backwards while the field lines run from left to right, then the emf would be induced in the up down direction, everything at right angles to each other like the x-y-z plane. this wouldn't generate a detectable emf if it was connected to a voltmeter at the ends of the wire, but i think it would induce an emf at the sides of the wire.
 
If the field is uniform, only direction one (of the three orthogonal directions) will produce a current in the wire. Moving parallel to the wire axis will slightly segregate charge as you describe. Moving toward the pole face produces no force.
You need to understand the vector cross product .
 
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Gotcha, now. You are right ( well thought out) but the induced emf will be lateral to (across) the wire and won’t cause a current to flow along the wire. It will just displace some charges across the width of the wire. The charge imbalance is limited by that induces emf.
 
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sophiecentaur said:
Gotcha, now. You are right ( well thought out) but the induced emf will be lateral to (across) the wire and won’t cause a current to flow along the wire. It will just displace some charges across the width of the wire. The charge imbalance is limited by that induces emf.
thank you, I understand that the emf will be across the width of the wire. Please what does this line mean ' The charge imbalance is limited by that induces emf '
 
It needed editing to “induced emf”. Internal fields in the wire cancel the emf.
 
sophiecentaur said:
It needed editing to “induced emf”. Internal fields in the wire cancel the emf.
how exactly ?
 
The free electrons in the wire move slightly in one direction and that means there is a force (field of the fixed protons)., attracting them back to where they started. The higher the induced emf, the greater the displacement and the greater the resulting restoring force, until equilibrium is reached. Then the movement stops.
 
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sophiecentaur said:
The free electrons in the wire move slightly in one direction and that means there is a force (field of the fixed protons)., attracting them back to where they started. The higher the induced emf, the greater the displacement and the greater the resulting restoring force, until equilibrium is reached. Then the movement stops.
thanks
 

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