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

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conditions under which an electromotive force (emf) is produced when a conductor moves through a magnetic field. Participants explore the implications of uniform versus changing magnetic fields, the shape of the conductor, and the nature of the induced emf in various scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that moving a conductor through a uniform magnetic field does not produce an emf due to a lack of change in magnetic flux.
  • Others argue that the shape of the conductor influences whether an emf is induced, noting that a closed loop requires changing magnetic flux to generate a potential difference.
  • It is suggested that if a straight conductor is used and closed elsewhere, a constant magnetic field can still induce an emf, depending on the configuration.
  • One participant mentions that inhomogeneous magnetic fields can induce voltage, regardless of the conductor's shape.
  • There is a discussion about the specific case of coils and whether they need to be closed to generate emf when moving through a magnetic field.
  • A later reply introduces the idea that the induction at the wire can remain constant while the flux through a loop changes, which complicates the understanding of emf generation.
  • Another participant recalls a principle that if a wire cuts through magnetic flux lines, a voltage is produced, highlighting a foundational concept in electromagnetism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of changing magnetic fields for emf generation, the role of conductor shape, and the conditions under which emf is induced. No consensus is reached, and multiple competing perspectives remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various scenarios involving uniform and inhomogeneous magnetic fields, closed and open loops, and the implications of conductor movement, indicating that assumptions about these conditions significantly affect the discussion.

Xabrewulf
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K