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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of why accelerating a loop through a constant magnetic field induces an electromotive force (EMF). Participants explore the implications of Faraday's law, the role of electric fields, and the effects of relativity in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference Faraday's law, suggesting that a change in magnetic flux is necessary to induce an EMF, questioning how acceleration through a constant field achieves this.
  • Others propose that in the frame of the moving loop, an electric field is generated in addition to the magnetic field, which contributes to the induced EMF.
  • One participant emphasizes the relativistic perspective, noting that a moving frame will perceive both electric and magnetic fields, leading to the generation of EMF.
  • There is a question raised about whether the induced EMF corresponds to actual current flow or merely charge separation within the loop.
  • Some participants express uncertainty regarding the relationship between acceleration and EMF, indicating a lack of prior exposure to this topic in their studies.
  • A later reply presents a mathematical formulation involving the integration of local Faraday's law, suggesting that if the loop is only accelerated in a constant magnetic field, no EMF is induced.
  • Another participant questions the validity of the mathematical approach, indicating a lack of familiarity with the concepts involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms behind the induced EMF, with some supporting the idea that an electric field is responsible, while others argue against the induction of EMF under constant magnetic conditions. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note limitations in their understanding of the topic, specifically regarding the implications of acceleration and the mathematical formulations presented. There are references to concepts not yet covered in their coursework.

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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