How Does Electromagnetic Induction Affect the Magnetic Field in a Square Loop?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of electromagnetic induction on the magnetic field produced by a square loop of wire, particularly when the current in the loop is changing. Participants explore various theoretical approaches, including Ampère's law and Faraday's law, while considering the implications of the loop's geometry and its placement within a solenoid.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the magnetic field due to the square loop will change as the current changes, but the exact form of this field is not clear.
  • There is a proposal to apply Ampère's law to find the magnetic field, though some participants question its applicability since the current is not stationary.
  • One participant mentions the need for more data to understand the specific requirements of the problem, such as whether the magnetic field or magnetic flux is being sought.
  • Another participant indicates that calculating the magnetic flux through the solenoid due to the current in the loop is a goal, and they reference the formula for magnetic flux.
  • There is a discussion about using the Neumann equation for calculating mutual inductance, with one participant noting the complexity of the required double integral.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the feasibility of finding a quick solution, suggesting that the geometry of the square loop complicates the analysis compared to a circular loop.
  • One participant proposes exploring the problem using Faraday's law to calculate the electric field based on the changing current.
  • There is mention of the induced electric field inside and outside a solenoid, and how it can be integrated over different loop shapes to find the induced emf.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to solve the problem. Multiple competing views on the applicability of different laws and methods remain, and the discussion is unresolved regarding the most effective way to analyze the situation.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their approaches, such as the complexity of integrating the Neumann equation and the challenges posed by the non-stationary current in the square loop. The discussion also reflects varying assumptions about the geometry and symmetry of the system.

ronaldoshaky
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Hello to all.

What form would the magnetic field (due to the square loop) take? My understanding is that the current is changing, so the magnetic field will be changing.
 
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You'd have to solve Ampère's law in order to find the exact values. Anyway, you can have some intuition from the right hand rule. If the current is changing, you have to apply Faraday's law. Hm... I need more data to understand what you want.
 
jrlaguna said:
You'd have to solve Ampère's law in order to find the exact values. Anyway, you can have some intuition from the right hand rule. If the current is changing, you have to apply Faraday's law. Hm... I need more data to understand what you want.
The current in the square loop is [tex]I = I_0 sin (\omega t)[/tex]. The length of the side of the square loop is [tex]b[/tex] I don't see how Ampere's Law would help. Isnt Ampere's Law for magnetostatics, and wouldn't it just be giving the magnetic field around one side of the wire?
 
What do you need exactly? The magnetic field in the whole of space, B(x,t)? (That's too hard.) The magnetic flux? The torque on the loop?

Ampère's law will give you the magnetic field for any stationary current. Yours is not stationary, so it will not do the trick by itself.
 
jrlaguna said:
What do you need exactly? The magnetic field in the whole of space, B(x,t)? (That's too hard.) The magnetic flux? The torque on the loop?

Ampère's law will give you the magnetic field for any stationary current. Yours is not stationary, so it will not do the trick by itself.

The loop is inside a solenoid, and the plane of the loop is perpendicular to the axis of the solenoid. I am trying to work out the flux through the solenoid, due to the current in the loop.

I know the flux is [tex]\Phi = N A B[/tex]. I was trying to work out [tex]B[/tex]. I am ultimately trying to work out the mutual inductance, and then the [tex]V_{emf}[/tex] and hence the induced current in the solenoid.
 
ronaldoshaky said:
The loop is inside a solenoid, and the plane of the loop is perpendicular to the axis of the solenoid. I am trying to work out the flux through the solenoid, due to the current in the loop.

I know the flux is [tex]\Phi = N A B[/tex]. I was trying to work out [tex]B[/tex]. I am ultimately trying to work out the mutual inductance, and then the [tex]V_{emf}[/tex] and hence the induced current in the solenoid.

Since you are only interested in mutual inductance between the two conductors (loops) you don't need to bother with finding the flux at all (which will be difficult). To find mutual inductance all you need is the Neumann equation. It is a double integral over the two conductors, source, and the one where emf is induced. In essence at each point on the solenoid you find the induction from every current element on the source loop taking into account the separation R and the angles between the conductors. You add the contributions from all source elements for each point on the secondary. Hence the double integral. It's all very straightforward and simple, but not especially easy. I presume the solution of a square loop and a helix is possible, but it sure sounds like a job for numeric integration on a computer to me!
 
bjacoby said:
Since you are only interested in mutual inductance between the two conductors (loops) you don't need to bother with finding the flux at all (which will be difficult). To find mutual inductance all you need is the Neumann equation. It is a double integral over the two conductors, source, and the one where emf is induced. In essence at each point on the solenoid you find the induction from every current element on the source loop taking into account the separation R and the angles between the conductors. You add the contributions from all source elements for each point on the secondary. Hence the double integral. It's all very straightforward and simple, but not especially easy. I presume the solution of a square loop and a helix is possible, but it sure sounds like a job for numeric integration on a computer to me!

I looked up that equation. I think the amount of work involved, as you mention, could be quite labor intensive.

What about looking at this problem from another perspective. One of the other posters there mentioned Faraday's Law. Could I work out the electric field using the current that is mentioned?

Thanks for your help.
 
ronaldoshaky said:
I looked up that equation. I think the amount of work involved, as you mention, could be quite labor intensive.

What about looking at this problem from another perspective. One of the other posters there mentioned Faraday's Law. Could I work out the electric field using the current that is mentioned?

Thanks for your help.

I could be wrong, but I don't think there is any "quick and dirty" way to do this. At least I don't know one. Think about it. You start with a square loop. Now the magnetic field from that is going to be rather odd without the rotational symmetry of the solenoid in which it resides. The field from the coil will be expanding out both sides of the coil and hence the field will be different at every point on the solenoid. It's a worse bear than using the Neumann method! I presume the only hope is to change the geometry to a circular loop so that symmetry will help you.

Actually, now that I think about it, the induced E field inside and outside a solenoid is well known. Thus it can be integrated over a loop of wire of any shape to give the emf. Since mutual inductance works both ways you can calculate by putting the current in the solenoid and finding the emf at the loop as well as finding the emf in the solenoid induced from a current in the loop. The mutual inductance has the same value both ways. M12=M21. Of course if the loop is circular the integration becomes trivial. If you want to make calculations easy, you have to use the approximation that the solenoid is "long".
 

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