Induced EMF — generator coil area calculation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the necessary area for a generator coil that produces an electromotive force (emf) of 150V while spinning at 60 revolutions per second in a magnetic field of 0.5 T. The problem involves concepts from electromagnetism, specifically Faraday's law of induction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between magnetic flux and emf, discussing the integration of variables and the implications of the generator's rotation on the flux. Some question the assumptions about the constancy of certain parameters during the calculations.

Discussion Status

There are multiple interpretations of the equations involved, with participants providing corrections and alternative perspectives on the integration process. Some guidance has been offered regarding the correct application of Faraday's law, but no consensus has been reached on the specific calculations or assumptions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of specifying whether the emf is average, peak, or rms, and mention the potential impact of the number of windings in the generator's armature on the calculations.

Celso
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Homework Statement


What is the necessary area for a generator that produces an emf of ##\mathcal{E} = 150V## when it spins at a ratio of 60 revolutions per second, in a magnetic field of ##B = 0.5 T##?

Homework Equations


##\oint_{c} E \cdot dl = \mathcal{E} = -\frac{d}{dt}\iint_{s} B \cdot dS ##

The Attempt at a Solution


First I tried solving for the magnetic flux ##\iint_{s}B \cdot dS=\int_{\theta{1}}^{\theta{2}}BAcos(\theta)d\theta##
##B## and ##A## are constant, so ##\iint_{s} B \cdot dS = BA \int_{\theta{1}}^{\theta{2}} cos(\theta)d\theta##
Now here is where I'm in doubt, please correct me if you spot a mistake, it spins 60 times a sec and since these engines switch the field or the current so the emf won't change to the other direction every half revolutions, one must consider the flux being always positive:
##60BA \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}2cos(\theta)d\theta##
(##2cos(\theta)## represents a full revolution, considering only the positive domain of the function).
Which leads to ##\frac{d}{dt}120BA = \mathcal{E}##
I'm stuck here
 
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The magnetic flux is given by ## \Phi=BA \cos(\omega t) ## where ## \omega =2 \pi f ##. ## \\ ## The EMF ## \mathcal{E}=-\frac{d \Phi}{dt} ##. See if that is helpful.
 
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Celso said:

Homework Statement


What is the necessary area for a generator that produces an emf of ##\mathcal{E} = 150V## when it spins at a ratio of 60 revolutions per second, in a magnetic field of ##B = 0.5 T##?

Homework Equations


##\oint_{c} E \cdot dl = \mathcal{E} = -\frac{d}{dt}\iint_{s} B \cdot dS ##

The Attempt at a Solution


First I tried solving for the magnetic flux ##\iint_{s}B \cdot dS=\int_{\theta{1}}^{\theta{2}}BAcos(\theta)d\theta##
##B## and ##A## are constant, so ##\iint_{s} B \cdot dS = BA \int_{\theta{1}}^{\theta{2}} cos(\theta)d\theta##
Now here is where I'm in doubt, please correct me if you spot a mistake, it spins 60 times a sec and since these engines switch the field or the current so the emf won't change to the other direction every half revolutions, one must consider the flux being always positive:
##60BA \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}2cos(\theta)d\theta##
(##2cos(\theta)## represents a full revolution, considering only the positive domain of the function).
Which leads to ##\frac{d}{dt}120BA = \mathcal{E}##
I'm stuck here

You operated the integral on something that you shouldn't.

The starting equation in your "Relevant equations" is the correct starting point. But you need to be aware that this is the surface integral bounded by the closed loop of current. In this case, this is a constant. You already had done this integral when you came up with "A" for the area, so you should have dropped the integral after that.

What you are left with is
<br /> \mathscr{E}=-\frac{d}{dt}BA cos \theta

Since B and A are constants, the derivative only operates on cosθ.

You should see that what you have now is identical to the derivative of the magnetic flux.

Zz.
 
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Celso said:

The Attempt at a Solution


First I tried solving for the magnetic flux ##\iint_{s}B \cdot dS=\int_{\theta{1}}^{\theta{2}}BAcos(\theta)d\theta##
This equation is wrong. You switch from integration with respect to ##dS## to integration with respect to ##d\theta## which is the core of your mistake and it does not give the correct flux. The correct equation would be ##\Phi=\iint_{s}B \cdot dS=\iint_{s} B\cos\theta dS## where ##\theta=\omega t## is the angle that the magnetic field vector makes with the normal to the surface. This angle is time varying (not constant with respect to time), but it is constant with respect to the variable of integration ##dS## (it does not change as we move at various points of the surface) and also constant with the latter is the magnetic field vector so both can be taken out of integral and we ll have ##\Phi=B\cos\theta\iint_SdS##. I believe it is easy to understand ##\iint_SdS=A## . So at the very end we get
$$\Phi=BA\cos\theta=BA\cos(\omega t)$$ where $$\omega=2\pi60=120\pi$$
and $$\mathcal{E}=-\frac{d\Phi}{dt}$$
Now here is where I'm in doubt, please correct me if you spot a mistake, it spins 60 times a sec and since these engines switch the field or the current so the emf won't change to the other direction every half revolutions, one must consider the flux being always positive:
##60BA \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}2cos(\theta)d\theta##
(##2cos(\theta)## represents a full revolution, considering only the positive domain of the function).
Which leads to ##\frac{d}{dt}120BA = \mathcal{E}##
I'm stuck here
if the generator has commutator that keeps the polarity constant this doesn't affect the EMF as you say but it would rather be:
$$\mathcal{E}=| \frac{d\Phi}{dt}|$$ where |x| denotes the absolute value of x.
 
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Depends on how many windings there are in the armature. I presume you mean 1.
Also, the emf is time-varying so it needs to be specified whether the sought emf is average or peak or rms or ...

BTW there is a simple formula for average emf which is not a function of angle or field configuration or anything else except frequency and maximum flux (and N if N>1).
 
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