How Does Lenz's Law Determine Current Direction in Moving Loops and Magnets?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of Lenz's Law in determining the direction of induced current in loops subjected to changing magnetic fields, as illustrated in two figures. The correct answers identified are C, D, E, and F, based on the movement of loops and magnets relative to the magnetic field. Specifically, when the magnetic field weakens, the induced current flows clockwise, while it flows counterclockwise as the field strengthens. The participants confirm that the reasoning aligns with Faraday's Law of electromagnetic induction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Faraday's Law of electromagnetic induction
  • Familiarity with Lenz's Law and its implications for current direction
  • Basic knowledge of magnetic fields and their representation
  • Ability to interpret diagrams depicting magnetic interactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the applications of Faraday's Law in real-world scenarios
  • Explore advanced concepts in electromagnetic theory, such as Maxwell's equations
  • Learn about practical experiments demonstrating Lenz's Law
  • Investigate the effects of varying magnetic field strengths on induced currents
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching electromagnetism, and anyone interested in the principles of electromagnetic induction and their applications in technology.

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Homework Statement


The figures below show two different situations where a current may be induced in a loop according to Faraday's Law, with the direction given by Lenz' Law. The magnetic field is shown by the x's in Fig. 2. Select ALL correct answers (i.e. B, AC, BCD) for the current in the loop. (The compass directions are defined in the usual way.)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/9134/prob07lenzlaw1us4.gif
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/2264/prob07lenzlaw2pi7.gif

A) fig2: Loop moving North, induced current `b'.
B) fig1: Magnet moving West, induced current `a'.
C) fig2: Loop moving South, no induced current.
D) fig1: Loop moving West, induced current `a'.
E) fig2: Loop moving East, induced current `b'.
F) fig1: Magnet moving East, induced current `a'.

In figure 2, the magnetic field is strongest on the left, weakest on the right. As the magnetic field gets weaker, the current will flow clockwise (b) as the magnetic field gets stronger the current travels counterclockwise (a). since the magnetic field is the same if you move up or down, this means that C and E are true. Using the same principle for figure 1, (as they get closer together, the current flows counterclockwise, as they move apart, the current flows clockwise. This means that CEF should be the answer... What am i missing?
 
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any insight into this one?
 
How do D & F differ? :wink:
 
jeez, why didnt i see that?:P So you would put your money on CDEF? i only have one attempt left at the question
 
Last edited:
That's what I'd put.
 
Correct! Thanks
 

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