How Do Faraday's Law and the EMF = BLv Equation Relate?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between Faraday's Law of electromagnetic induction and the equation for electromotive force (emf) generated by a moving conductor in a magnetic field, specifically the equation emf = BLv. Participants explore how these concepts interrelate in the context of a conductor rod moving within a magnetic field and within a closed circuit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how Faraday's Law relates to the equation emf = BLv, seeking clarity on whether they are the same or additive.
  • Another participant references their previous post, suggesting it contains relevant information to answer the original question.
  • A third participant explains the derivation of emf using Faraday's Law, detailing how the rate of change of magnetic flux relates to the motion of the rod and concludes that both approaches yield the same result, while noting the significance of the negative sign in the context of polarity.
  • A later reply acknowledges the complexity of MCAT materials and their tendency to oversimplify concepts, which may hinder understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree that both Faraday's Law and the equation emf = BLv can yield the same result, but the discussion does not resolve whether they are fundamentally the same or how they might be additive. The relationship remains somewhat unclear, with no consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the uniformity of the magnetic field and the conditions under which the equations apply. There is also a dependency on the definitions of magnetic flux and area, which may not be fully explored.

mayer
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Alright, I need to put my question in the context of the probably ubiquitous example of a conductor rod moving perpendicularly over a magnetic field to generate an emf between the two sides of the rod. That emf is equal to BLv (magnetic field, length, velocity) according to my book(studying for MCAT). Now when that rod is placed within a closed circuit with a resistor retaining its ability to move back and/or forth to generate an electrical current, how does Faraday's Law relate to the emf = BLv equation. In other words, how do these two equations emf = delta(magnetic flux) / Area and emf = BLv relate? Are they essentially the same thing? Are they additive?

Thank You
 
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I recently posted something about this which I think gives you your answer. Take a look at here!
 
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Say you have the rod moving on stationary conductive rails with the resistor fixed between their endpoints. According to Faraday's law of induction (its integral form), the emf induced in the circuit is given by:
$$
\varepsilon = -\frac{d\Phi}{dt}
$$
where ##\Phi## is the magnetic flux linking the circuit.

If the magnetic field is uniform and perpendicular to the plane of the circuit, you have:
$$
\Phi = B A(t)
$$
where ##A(t)## is the area enclosed by the circuit.

If ##l## is the length of the rod and ##v## is its velocity, the rate of change of ##A(t)## with respect to time is ##l v##, so:
$$
\varepsilon = -\frac{d\Phi}{dt} = -\frac{d(B A(t))}{dt} = -B\frac{dA(t)}{dt} = -B l v
$$
The negative sign here just means that you have to assign the reference polarity of ##\varepsilon## opposite of what's shown in the derivation of your expression for the "motional emf" of a conductive rod.

In short, both approaches should give the same result. I'd guess your book makes use of the Lorentz force law in its derivation.
 
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Ah yes thanks to the both of you. And yes these MCAT books summarize quite a bit and end up making it harder to understand.
 

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