True or false? a conductor through a uniform magnetic field produces NO emf

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SUMMARY

When a conductor moves through a uniform magnetic field, no electromotive force (emf) is produced unless there is a change in magnetic flux. This is contingent upon the shape of the conductor; for instance, a closed loop requires a change in magnetic flux to generate voltage, while a straight conductor can produce emf if it is part of a larger loop. The discussion emphasizes that inhomogeneous magnetic fields can induce voltage due to changing flux, while uniform fields necessitate specific conditions for emf generation. The key takeaway is that the induction must change, either at the conductor or within the loop.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic induction principles
  • Familiarity with Faraday's Law of Induction
  • Knowledge of magnetic flux and its calculation
  • Basic concepts of closed and open electrical circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Faraday's Law of Induction in detail
  • Learn about the effects of inhomogeneous magnetic fields on emf generation
  • Explore the relationship between conductor shape and induced voltage
  • Investigate practical applications of electromagnetic induction in devices like generators and loudspeakers
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Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in the principles of electromagnetism and their applications in technology.

Xabrewulf
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Many sources on the web claim that when moving a conductor through a magnetic field, an emf is produced.

However, some sources claim, that the intensity of the magnetic field also needs to change in order to produce a voltage over the conductor, for example:
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_14/5.html

What's the deal? Where lies the misconception?

In my understanding, when you move a conductor through a uniform magnetic field, you have no rate of change of flux, hence you have no emf produced.

Is this correct? Or am I wrong?
 
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It depends on the shape of the conductor. If it is a closed loop, the magnetic flux through the conductor has to change, otherwise the (non-zero) potential differences in the loop will cancel each other. If it is a straight line (and you close the loop somewhere else to measure the voltage), a constant magnetic field is fine. You can calculate the flux through that big loop, and it will change (unless you move the cable parallel to the magnetic field).
 
there is always an induced emf whenever flux change i.e. B.A changes with time.when it moves through magnetic field then in most cases area changes and hence an emf.If B is changing then again an emf is there.
 
mfb said:
It depends on the shape of the conductor. If it is a closed loop, the magnetic flux through the conductor has to change, otherwise the (non-zero) potential differences in the loop will cancel each other. If it is a straight line (and you close the loop somewhere else to measure the voltage), a constant magnetic field is fine. You can calculate the flux through that big loop, and it will change (unless you move the cable parallel to the magnetic field).

Ok, so if I have coil with 5 loops, and it is not closed (because it is closed with a voltage meter) than no EMF will be generated if I move the coil through a changing magnetic field??
 
and it is not closed (because it is closed with a voltage meter)
That is closed, just with a high resistance at one point.

If you move the coil through an inhomogeneous field, you will get a voltage in the general case.
 
Xabrewulf said:
Many sources on the web claim that when moving a conductor through a magnetic field, an emf is produced.

However, some sources claim, that the intensity of the magnetic field also needs to change in order to produce a voltage over the conductor, for example:
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_14/5.html

What's the deal? Where lies the misconception?

In my understanding, when you move a conductor through a uniform magnetic field, you have no rate of change of flux, hence you have no emf produced.

Is this correct? Or am I wrong?
if magnetic field is non uniform then its not a problm u can directly calculate emf induced since flux is changing with time factor but in case of uniform mag. field u need to consider cases wether its a loop or of any other shape if a ring is rotating about its axis parallel to mag field than no net emf is induced but in case of disc it behaves as a rod an emf is induced equl to the rod of length =radious of disc. actually your thinking is correct but emf is viwed here wether field lines are being cut or not ok
 
The subtlety is where you consider the induction: at the conductor or in the loop.

The flux must change to produce a voltage, which means the induction in the loop must change, but this can happen as the induction at the wire remains constant - at least over soem distance.

One example is an abnormally designed loudspeaker, with long concentric pole pieces producing a uniform radial induction, and a short coil fully immersed in the uniform induction. The induction is constant at the wire, but the flux (per turn...) through the coil changes between two coil positions by the amount that passes between the poles over the distance.

This is for fields varying slowly as compared to light propagation's time over the dimensions. In an antenna, everything is more complicated.
 
This reminds me of a lesson back in college - if a wire is cutting lines of magnetic flux, a voltage is produced.
 

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