High School Why does accelerating a loop through a constant magnetic field induce an EMF?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the induction of electromotive force (EMF) in a loop of wire moving through a constant magnetic field, as described by Faraday's law. It is established that while a change in magnetic flux typically induces an EMF, accelerating a loop in a constant magnetic field does not induce an EMF unless there is a relative motion that generates an electric field. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between electric and magnetic fields in different reference frames, particularly in the context of special relativity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction
  • Familiarity with the concepts of electric fields and magnetic fields
  • Knowledge of special relativity and its implications on electromagnetic fields
  • Basic proficiency in calculus, particularly in integrals and derivatives
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of special relativity on electromagnetic fields
  • Learn about motional EMF and its derivation
  • Explore the mathematical formulation of Faraday's law in different reference frames
  • Investigate the relationship between electric fields and magnetic fields in dynamic systems
USEFUL FOR

Students of electromagnetism, physics educators, and anyone interested in the principles of electromagnetic induction and relativity.

Sho Kano
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So from Faraday's law, a change in the magnetic flux will induce an emf on a loop of wire.
{ \phi }_{ B }\quad =\quad BA\\ { \varepsilon }_{ ind }\quad =\quad \frac { d{ \phi }_{ B } }{ dt }
(in this case a perpendicular field)
From these equations, it looks like the only way to induce a voltage is to change the magnetic field, change the area, and change the angle between the two. Then why does accelerating the loop through a constant field also induce an emf? The magnetic field and the area is constant in this case.
 
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Well, if you're in the frame of the loop which is moving then there will be an electric field in addition to a magnetic one.
 
Paul Colby said:
Well, if you're in the frame of the loop which is moving then there will be an electric field in addition to a magnetic one.
Because of the magnetic force on the electrons right? So the emf will be due solely to the electric field generated, and not from Faraday's law right?
 
Well, I was thinking more in terms of relativity. If one has a ##B##-field and no ##E##-field in one frame then a frame moving relative to the first will see both ##E## and ##B##-fields. So, ridding on the wire one would see an emf.
 
I think to answer more directly the "generated" E field is due to the relative motion, so yes.
 
Sho Kano said:
From these equations, it looks like the only way to induce a voltage is to change the magnetic field, change the area, and change the angle between the two. Then why does accelerating the loop through a constant field also induce an emf? The magnetic field and the area is constant in this case.

What do you mean by an EMF here? Is there current flow through the loop (not just charge separation)?
 
Drakkith said:
What do you mean by an EMF here? Is there current flow through the loop (not just charge separation)?
Yes, there was a slide that my professor went through that showed had a question along the lines of this:
A rectangular loop of wire is moving through a uniform magnetic field. When the loop is moving at constant velocity is there an emf? What about when it's accelerating?
We didn't go over motional emf before this.
 
Honestly I'm not sure. I wouldn't think so, but I haven't gone over anything in my E&M class related to accelerating a loop through a magnetic field either.
 
If the surface you integrate the local Faraday Law,
$$\vec{\nabla} \times \vec{E}=-\frac{1}{c} \partial_t \vec{B}$$
over a time-dependent surface with time-dependent boundary, you have to define the EMF as
$$\mathrm{EMF}=\int_{\partial F} \mathrm{d} \vec{x} \cdot \left[ \vec{E}+\frac{\vec{v}}{c} \times \vec{B} \right ],$$
where ##\vec{v}## is the three-velocity of the surface (taken along its boundary ##\partial F## within the integral). Then you have
$$\mathrm{EMF}=-\frac{1}{c} \frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d} t} \int_F \mathrm{d}^2 \vec{F} \cdot \vec{B}.$$
If the loop is just accelerated in a constant ##\vec{B}##, no EMF is induced.
 
  • #10
vanhees71 said:
If the surface you integrate the local Faraday Law,
$$\vec{\nabla} \times \vec{E}=-\frac{1}{c} \partial_t \vec{B}$$
over a time-dependent surface with time-dependent boundary, you have to define the EMF as
$$\mathrm{EMF}=\int_{\partial F} \mathrm{d} \vec{x} \cdot \left[ \vec{E}+\frac{\vec{v}}{c} \times \vec{B} \right ],$$
where ##\vec{v}## is the three-velocity of the surface (taken along its boundary ##\partial F## within the integral). Then you have
$$\mathrm{EMF}=-\frac{1}{c} \frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d} t} \int_F \mathrm{d}^2 \vec{F} \cdot \vec{B}.$$
If the loop is just accelerated in a constant ##\vec{B}##, no EMF is induced.
Haha, I have not learned all that yet. Is that just another form of Faraday's law? I do believe my instructor made a mistake.
 

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