What Does "Distributed" Mean in Faraday's Law?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the concept of "distributed" in Faraday's Law, emphasizing that a variation in magnetic flux generates an induced electromotive force (emf) throughout a material, leading to the creation of eddy currents. It confirms that there is indeed a constant potential difference between points within a conductive material, such as a transformer core, due to the interaction of magnetic and electric fields. The conversation highlights the relationship between alternating current (AC) mains and the induced emf in nearby conductors, demonstrating that even a long wire can exhibit a potential difference due to the Earth's magnetic field.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction
  • Familiarity with concepts of electromotive force (emf) and eddy currents
  • Basic knowledge of alternating current (AC) systems
  • Awareness of magnetic and electric field interactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of Faraday's Law in detail
  • Explore the behavior of eddy currents in conductive materials
  • Learn about the effects of AC mains on nearby conductors
  • Investigate the implications of Earth's magnetic field on induced currents
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, physics students, and professionals involved in electromagnetic theory and applications, particularly those working with transformers and AC distribution systems.

jaumzaum
Messages
433
Reaction score
33
Faraday says that a variation of magnetic flux generates an induced emf distributed by the material, which creates eddy currents. I want to know and understand what this "distributed" means. Do we have a constant potential difference between every 2 points of the object? (is this possible?)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Basically magnetic field and electric field is like the two sides of a coin they come hand in hand hence the name "electromagnetic field".
Em field can be explained both in classical terms based on the real life phenomenon which it exerts on conductors, transformers etc. and in quantum terms, you have to choose based on your level of knowledge which explanation suits you best.

If by the "material " you mean a transformer core then yes the core itself isn't electrically charged as it is a loop of metal that let's the magnetic field lines to be distributed upon, but if you measure the secondary winding at any given place you will notice a potential difference which you will recognize as voltage, place a wire along a live wire connected to your mains and even in that wire there will be a small amount of voltage as the live wire carrying the ac mains makes an em field around it which then induces another em field in that not connected wire that will run parallel to the live one and you will see potential difference on that one, a small one but still.

By constant potential difference, that depends whether the magnetic field which in turn is induced by electric one will be constant as if the potential difference will minimize in the first wire also you will notice the same thing in other placed near to the first.
But to answer your question yes we have a constant potential difference and if it wouldn't be possible no AC mains distribution system would be possible either.

P.S. if you would place a really long wire in a straight line across miles of land you would see a potential difference too as the Earth's magnetic field would induce electric current in that wire.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K