Find the Induced EMF in a Rotating Spherical Shell in a Magnetic Field

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the induced electromotive force (emf) in two different scenarios: a square loop of wire in a non-uniform magnetic field and a rotating spherical shell in a uniform magnetic field. The participants explore the application of electromagnetic principles, particularly Faraday's law of induction and the Lorentz force, in these contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to integrate the magnetic field over the surface area to find the flux for the square loop problem, questioning the assumption that the magnetic field can be treated as uniform. They also explore how to incorporate angular velocity into the flux calculation for the rotating spherical shell.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the correct application of electromagnetic principles, with some participants providing guidance on the integration needed for the square loop and the use of Lorentz force for the spherical shell. Multiple interpretations of the problems are being discussed, but no explicit consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity introduced by the non-uniform magnetic field in the first problem and the rotational dynamics in the second, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the assumptions made regarding the magnetic field and the geometry involved.

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1] A square loop of wire, with sides of length 'a' lies in the first quadrant of the xy-plane, with one corner at the origin. In this region there is a non-uniform time-dependent magnetic field [itex]\vec B (y,t) = ky^3t^2\hat z[/itex]. Find the induced emf in the loop.I applied the flux rule here.

[tex]\varepsilon = -{d\Phi \over dt} = -{d(\vec B \cdot \vec A) \over dt} = {d(Ba^2) \over dt} = -a^2\left({d(ky^3t^2)\over dt}\right)[/tex]

Am I going right here?

2] A perfectly conducting spherical shell of radius 'a' rotates about the z-axis with angular velocity [itex]\omega[/itex] in a uniform magnetic field [itex]\vec B = B_0\hat z[/itex]. Calculate the emf developed between the "north pole" and the equator.

I evaluted the flux here:
[tex]\Phi = \vec B \cdot \vec A = B_0\left(4\pi a^2\right)[/tex]

But the answer given here is: [tex]{1\over 2}B_0\omega a^2[/tex]

How do I incorporate [itex]\omega[/itex] in my flux?
 
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1) What is [itex]\vec A[/itex]? From your equation, I think you mean it to be the vector area of the surface. You have to be careful, since the field is not uniform, it depends strongly on y. So the flux through the square is not simply the product of B and the area A. You have to integrate over the surface to find the flux at a certain instant of time:

[tex]\Phi(t)=\int \limits_{\square}\vec B \cdot d\vec a[/itex].<br /> Then find [itex]\varepsilon[/itex] by taking the time-derivative.<br /> <br /> ONLY when [itex]\vec B[/itex] does not depend on position can you remove it from the integral and then:<br /> [tex]\Phi=\int \vec B \cdot d\vec a=\vec B \cdot \int d\vec a=\vec B \cdot \vec A[/tex]<br /> <br /> 2) This problem is a bit different. You have a conducting surface rotating a magnetic field, so there is a magnetic force acting on each surface element, given by the Lorentz force law. The integral of this force per unit charge gives the emf.[/tex]
 
Thank you very much for your reply :smile:.
Galileo said:
1) What is [itex]\vec A[/itex]? From your equation, I think you mean it to be the vector area of the surface. You have to be careful, since the field is not uniform, it depends strongly on y. So the flux through the square is not simply the product of B and the area A. You have to integrate over the surface to find the flux at a certain instant of time:
Yes, I should have been more careful (since [itex]\vec A[/itex] could also mean the magnetic potential.)
[tex]\Phi(t)=\int \limits_{\square}\vec B \cdot d\vec a[/itex].<br /> Then find [itex]\varepsilon[/itex] by taking the time-derivative.<br /> ONLY when [itex]\vec B[/itex] does not depend on position can you remove it from the integral and then:<br /> [tex]\Phi=\int \vec B \cdot d\vec a=\vec B \cdot \int d\vec a=\vec B \cdot \vec A[/tex][/tex]
[tex] OK, so the flux will be:<br /> [tex]\Phi = k\int_0^a \int_0^a y^3t^2 dxdy[/tex]<br /> <br /> [tex]\Phi (t) = k{a^5\over 4}t^2[/tex]<br /> <br /> So, the emf will be:<br /> [tex]\varepsilon = -2k{a^5\over 4}t[/tex]<br /> <br /> Is my evaluation correct?[/tex]
 
Galileo said:
2) This problem is a bit different. You have a conducting surface rotating a magnetic field, so there is a magnetic force acting on each surface element, given by the Lorentz force law. The integral of this force per unit charge gives the emf.

Lorentz force? You mean:
[tex]\vec F_{mag} = \int(\vec v \times \vec B)\sigma d\vec a[/tex]

So, I take the force per unit charge as [itex]\vec f[/itex] & [itex]\vec v = \omega r[/itex]
So the emf will be:
[tex]\varepsilon = -{d\Phi \over dt} = \oint \vec f \cdot d\vec l = \int_0^a B_0\omega rdr = B_0\omega {a^2\over 2}[/tex]

Yippee, I hope it is correct.
 
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1) Looks good.
2) [itex]\vec f \times \vec v=\omega rB_0 \hat r[/itex] is correct, but note that the direction is pointing away from the axis of rotation and that r is the distance from this axis (cylindrical coordinates as opposed to spherical).

Anyways, both answers look correct :smile:
 

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