How Is Induced EMF Calculated in a Current Loop with Increasing Current?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the induced electromotive force (emf) in a current loop as the current increases. The context involves electromagnetic induction and the relationship between changing current and induced emf in a loop of wire.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various equations related to induced emf and magnetic flux, questioning the validity of their approaches and the appropriateness of certain formulas. There is an attempt to relate changing current to induced emf and to integrate equations involving magnetic flux.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants providing guidance and clarifications on the relationships between current, emf, and magnetic flux. Some participants express uncertainty about the validity of their reasoning and seek confirmation on their mathematical manipulations.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of potential confusion regarding the magnetic field of a ring and the application of magnetostatic methods. Participants also note the assumption of constant resistance and the implications of using a quasistatic approximation in their calculations.

mattst88
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Homework Statement


If the current is increasing at a rate of 0.1 A/sec what would the induced emf in a loop of 0.5 m be?


Homework Equations



[tex]I = \frac{|emf|}{R}[/tex]
[tex]emf = - \frac{d}{dt} B A cos(\theta)[/tex]


I'm obviously missing an equation or something.

Some guidance would be much appreciated.
 
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Where did you get your second equation from? That looks like something that you would see for a generator, and not a general formula.

So you know that
[tex]Emf = \epsilon = \frac{d \Phi}{dt}[/tex]

where the flux [itex]\Phi[/itex] would be

[tex]\Phi = \int B \cdot da[/tex]
 
Thanks for your reply.

So multiply by dt

[tex]\epsilon dt = d \Phi[/tex]

Integrate both sides
[tex]\int \epsilon dt = \Phi[/tex]

Replace Phi

[tex]\int \epsilon dt = \int B \cdot dA[/tex]

B doesn't change with area, and is therefore constant. Integrate left side and replace A with area of a circle.

[tex]\int \epsilon dt = B \pi r^2[/tex]

I don't quite know where to go from here.

Since Emf = IR, and we assume R is constant, if I is changing then E must be changing proportionally.
 
Is this valid?

[tex]\frac{d\epsilon}{dt} = \frac{dI}{dt} R[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d\epsilon}{dt} = 0.1 R[/tex]

[tex]d\epsilon = 0.1 R dt[/tex]

[tex]\epsilon = 0.1 R \int dt[/tex]

[tex]\epsilon = 0.1 R t[/tex]

And using that, plugging it into this equation:

[tex]\int \epsilon dt = B \pi r^2[/tex]
[tex]0.1 R \int t dt = B \pi r^2[/tex]

Is this valid? Am I on the right track?
 
Very good! Almost there. I just realized I forgot to give you a minus sign too, sorry.

[tex]\epsilon = - \frac{d \Phi}{dt}[/tex]

One thing to consider is what the magnetic field of a ring actually is. This may be a confusing point, and it is, as you may say, "Wait a minute, I was told that biot-savart and all the others only works for magnetostatics." Well, that is very true, but we also need to calculate the magnetic fields. The only really good ways are with the magnetostatic methods. Basically this means that the magnetic field you calculate will only be an approximation, but the error is usually pretty small, unless you have very rapid fluctuations. We call this a quasistatic approximation.

Anyway, does it make sense that if you solve the magnetic field then you will be able to use that result to find an induced EMF? Since you will get a magnetic field with a current dependence, then the EMF will be the time derivative of your magnetic flux. In other words, you have flux [itex]\Phi = \pi r^2 B[/itex], find [itex]d \Phi/dt[/itex].

I'm surprised there isn't a part that tells you to calculate the induced electric field.
 
Last edited:

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