Understanding Induced Current in Conducting Wires from Changing Magnetic Fields

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of induced current in conducting wires due to changing magnetic fields, exploring the underlying principles such as Faraday's Law and Lenz's Law. Participants engage in clarifying concepts, addressing misconceptions, and examining different scenarios related to electromagnetic induction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that a changing magnetic field induces current through a change in magnetic flux, referencing Lenz's Law as a mechanism that attempts to maintain zero magnetic flux in a loop.
  • Others argue that it is not the changing magnetic field itself that induces current, but rather the induced electromotive force (emf) that drives the current, suggesting a distinction between the two concepts.
  • A participant introduces Faraday's Law in differential form, indicating that a changing magnetic field creates an electric field, which can lead to current if a conductive path is present.
  • There is a contention regarding the causality of induced emf, with some stating that a changing current, rather than a changing magnetic field, is responsible for inducing emf.
  • One participant questions the conditions under which emf is produced, specifically in scenarios involving a solenoid and a moving magnet, seeking clarification on the relationship between magnetic flux and induced emf.
  • Another participant highlights the relationship between electric and magnetic fields under time-varying conditions, emphasizing that they cannot exist independently.
  • There is a request for further explanation regarding the role of electron flow in restoring magnetic flux to zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views on the mechanisms of induced current and emf, with no consensus reached on the causal relationships involved. The discussion remains unresolved with respect to the interpretations of electromagnetic induction principles.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific definitions of terms like "induced current" and "emf," and there are unresolved mathematical steps regarding the application of Faraday's Law in different scenarios.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and enthusiasts of physics, particularly those exploring concepts in electromagnetism and electromagnetic induction.

rajeshmarndi
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why does changing magnetic field induced current in a conducting wire?
 
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The change in magnetic field doesn't create a current, but the change in the flux through a loop creates a current, because the loop creates a current that tries to cancel the effect of the changing magnetic field flux, i.e. the magnetic flux in the loop is supposed to be always zero, this is what the loop tries to do, this is called Lenz law.

If you have a more specific question, just ask.

I hope I answered your question.

Good luck :)
 
TheDestroyer said:
i.e. the magnetic flux in the loop is supposed to be always zero, this is what the loop tries to do, this is called Lenz law.

If you have a more specific question, just ask.

I hope I answered your question.

Good luck :)

why is it that the loop is supposed to be always zero, if u could explain further, thanks
 
Well, this question is like "why does current flow in a wire when you apply a potential difference on its terminals".

It's just because the system always wants to minimise its energy, therefore it does everything it can to remove the effect of any perturbation you apply.

Hope this answers :), if you want to more clarification, ask again :) you're welcome
 
thanks "TheDestroyer"!
if in a uniform magnetic field, a wire perpendicular and perpendicular to the plane of the magnetic field is moved in a line perpendicular and in the plane of the magnetic field. So that there will be no change in the magnetic flux in the wire as it is moved. Does the current is still induced in the wire as it is moved in the mag field.
 
This is a different situation, where "Lorentz force" happens on the charges in the wire. You can find Lorentz force here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_force

And it's not a current that is inducted, it's that the wire polarises, meaning negative charges (i.e. electrons) accumulate in 1 side, and so there happens to be a static charge in the wire, not a current.

Hope this answers :) if you still have doubts, don't hesitate asking :)
 
rajeshmarndi said:
why does changing magnetic field induced current in a conducting wire?
Hi Rajesh-
Your are actually asking two questions.
1) Faraday's Law, in differential form, is
Curl E = -dB/dt
A changing magnetic field creates an azimuthal electric field. This has nothing to do with inducing a current.
2) J = σ E
An electric field in a conductor (conductivity σ) will produce a current. This current is not a requirement of the Faraday Induction Law. The current will be present if an electrical conductor linking the dB/dt s present.

Bob S
 
Last edited:
TheDestroyer said:
The change in magnetic field doesn't create a current, but the change in the flux through a loop creates a current, because the loop creates a current that tries to cancel the effect of the changing magnetic field flux, i.e. the magnetic flux in the loop is supposed to be always zero, this is what the loop tries to do, this is called Lenz law.

If you have a more specific question, just ask.

I hope I answered your question.

Good luck :)

Well if you're going to be fastidious in saying that it's not the (changing) magnetic field but rather a changing flux, then I might as well point out that it's not a current that's created but rather an emf. The emf in turn drives the current. :-p

Although, by Faraday's law, I have no problem saying it's the changing magnetic field. The flux just makes it easier to solve certain problems.
 
cmos said:
Well if you're going to be fastidious in saying that it's not the (changing) magnetic field but rather a changing flux, then I might as well point out that it's not a current that's created but rather an emf. The emf in turn drives the current. :-p

Although, by Faraday's law, I have no problem saying it's the changing magnetic field. The flux just makes it easier to solve certain problems.

Well, you SHOULD have a problem. A changing magnetic field (or flux) does NOT induce an emf! The two are related but not causal. An induced emf is caused by a changing current! The changing current produces an E field parallel or anti-parallel to itself at a distance falling off as 1/R. The changing current ALSO produces a magnetic field traveling away from itself at the speed of light as well. Hence the induced emf and magnetic field are related to each other but the magnetic field does not "cause" the emf. The emf is a real electric field capable of accelerating charges. Hence the emf thence creates a current if such a path is allowed.

Neither the changing magnetic field or changing magnetic flux creates the emf.
 
  • #10
bjacoby said:
Well, you SHOULD have a problem. A changing magnetic field (or flux) does NOT induce an emf! The two are related but not causal. An induced emf is caused by a changing current! The changing current produces an E field parallel or anti-parallel to itself at a distance falling off as 1/R. The changing current ALSO produces a magnetic field traveling away from itself at the speed of light as well. Hence the induced emf and magnetic field are related to each other but the magnetic field does not "cause" the emf. The emf is a real electric field capable of accelerating charges. Hence the emf thence creates a current if such a path is allowed.

Neither the changing magnetic field or changing magnetic flux creates the emf.
So the emf is not produced by the changing magnetic field flux? So Curl E = - dB/dt (Faraday's Law) is not sufficient to produce an emf? Suppose I pulled a strong permanent magnet out of a solenoid with only a voltmeter attached to it. Will I see an induced emf then?
 
  • #11
The emf does not "drive" the current. Every time induction comes up, we get a "cause/effect" debate. It is universally known that E & H cannot exist independently under time-varying conditions. The emf & the mmf are functionally related through the resistance per Ohm's law.

I & V are produced in unison. Neither "causes" the other. Is this helpful? BR.

Claude
 
  • #12
why does the flow of electrons through a wire have any effect on bringing the flux back to zero
 
  • #13
The amount of Induced EMF when the magnetic field linked with the coil changes is ......
(1.Magnetic induction, 2 Current produced, 3. EMF Produced, 4. Changing Current)

Please reply for the above question
 

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