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4.4.1Electricity and Magnetism

Electromagnetic Induction — Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences 0654 - Physics Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 11 parts Lesson 25 of 31

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Part 1 of 9Induced e.m.f.

1Electromagnetic induction
Electromagnetic induction an e.m.f. is induced in a conductor whenever there is relative movement between the conductor and a magnetic field
  • The conductor can move in a stationary magnetic field.
  • The conductor can be stationary in a changing magnetic field, for example when a magnet moves through a coil.
2Cutting field lines
  • Cutting field lines the induced e.m.f. appears while the conductor cuts magnetic field lines
3Complete circuit
  • Complete circuit a current is induced and can be detected by an ammeter or galvanometer
  • A sensitive voltmeter measures the size of the induced e.m.f.
4No relative movement
  • No relative movement a stationary magnet and coil, or movement parallel to the field lines, induces no e.m.f.

Part 2 of 9Demonstration with a magnet and a coil

1
Connect a coil to a sensitive voltmeter and hold the bar magnet still inside or outside the coil.
  • The reading is zero because no field lines are cut.
2
Move the bar magnet into the coil.
  • The coil cuts the field lines and there is a reading on the voltmeter.
3
Move the magnet back out of the coil.
  • The reading has the opposite sign because the direction of the e.m.f. has reversed.
4
Conclude that an e.m.f. is induced only while the magnet is moving through the coil.

Part 3 of 9Demonstration with a wire and a magnet

1
Connect a wire to a voltmeter; no current flows through the wire to start with.
2
Hold the wire still between the magnetic poles; the reading is zero because no field lines are cut.
3
Move the wire between the poles across the field; the wire cuts field lines and an e.m.f. is induced.
4
Move the wire back out; the reading has the opposite sign.
5
Increase the length of the wire in the field or move it faster to get a larger e.m.f.

Part 4 of 9Factors affecting the size of the e.m.f.

Factors affecting the size of the e.m.f.
Speed of movement
  • Speed of movement a faster movement cuts field lines at a greater rate
Number of turns
  • Number of turns each turn of the coil cuts the field lines, so the total e.m.f. increases with every extra turn
Area of the coil
  • Area of the coil a larger coil has more wire cutting the field lines
Strength of the magnetic field
  • Strength of the magnetic field a stronger field has more field lines in a given area
Wording
  • Wording say a stronger magnet, not a bigger magnet, because larger magnets are not always stronger

Part 5 of 9Factors affecting the direction of the e.m.f.

Direction of movement
  • Direction of movement reversing the movement of the wire, coil or magnet reverses the e.m.f.
Orientation of the poles
  • Orientation of the poles switching the poles of the magnet reverses the e.m.f.
Reversing both
  • Reversing both doing both together gives the original direction

Part 6 of 9Lenz's law

1Lenz's law
Lenz's law the direction of an induced e.m.f. always opposes the change that causes it
2Magnet pushed into a coil
  • Magnet pushed into a coil the end of the coil nearest the magnet becomes a north pole
  • The induced current makes a magnetic field that repels the approaching magnet.
3Magnet pulled out of a coil
  • Magnet pulled out of a coil the end of the coil nearest the magnet becomes a south pole
  • The induced field attracts the magnet and so opposes its removal.
4Energy
  • Energy work must be done to move the magnet against this opposing force, so energy is conserved

Part 7 of 9Right-hand dynamo rule

Right-hand dynamo rule
  • Right-hand dynamo rule gives the direction of the induced e.m.f.
  • (current) in a moving wire
  • First finger points in the direction of the field.
  • Thumb points in the direction of the motion of the wire.
  • Second finger then points in the direction of the current, or strictly the e.m.f.
Direction of current
  • Direction of current conventional current is from positive to negative

Part 8 of 9Uses of electromagnetic induction

Electrical generators
  • Electrical generators convert mechanical energy to electrical energy
Transformers
  • Transformers used in electrical power transmission

Part 9 of 9More from the specification

1
Transformer mutual induction between coils
  • Transformer mutual induction between coils alternating magnetic flux through a laminated iron core links primary and secondary coils, stepping voltage levels.
2
Electromagnetic induction
  • Electromagnetic induction a voltage is induced when a conductor cuts magnetic field lines or the field linking a coil changes.
3
Factors
  • Factors the induced voltage is larger with a faster movement, a stronger magnet or more turns on the coil.
4
Alternating current generator
  • Alternating current generator a rotating coil in a field produces an alternating voltage, the reverse of the motor effect.
5
Transformer
  • Transformer a primary coil's changing field induces voltage in the secondary, with Vp/Vs = Np/Ns.
6
Solenoid
  • Solenoid moving a magnet in or out of the solenoid induces a current, with the direction opposing the change.
7
Electromagnetic induction
  • Electromagnetic induction a voltage is induced when a conductor cuts magnetic field lines or the field linking a coil changes.
8
Factors
  • Factors the induced voltage is larger with a faster movement, a stronger magnet or more turns on the coil.
9
Alternating current generator
  • Alternating current generator a rotating coil in a field produces an alternating voltage, the reverse of the motor effect.
10
Transformer
  • Transformer a primary coil's changing field induces voltage in the secondary, with Vp/Vs = Np/Ns.
11
Solenoid
  • Solenoid moving a magnet in or out of the solenoid induces a current, with the direction opposing the change.
12
Solenoid
  • A coil of wire that produces a magnetic field like a bar magnet when a current flows.
13
Voltage
  • A measure of the electrical energy supplied or changed in a circuit.
14
Alternating current
  • A current that continuously changes direction.
15
Potential difference
  • The work done by a unit charge passing through a component.
16
Step-up transformer
  • A transformer with more turns on the secondary coil than the primary, raising the voltage.
17
Step-down transformer
  • A transformer with fewer turns on the secondary coil, lowering the voltage.
18
Permanent magnet
  • A magnet whose field is always present.
19
IpVp
IsVs
What the symbols mean: V = voltage (V) · N = number of turns · I = current (A) · p = primary coil · s = secondary coil

Key terms

TermMeaning
Electromagnetic inductionThe production of an e.m.f. in a conductor when there is relative movement between the conductor and a magnetic field.
Induced e.m.f.The e.m.f. produced in a conductor when it cuts magnetic field lines.
Lenz's lawThe direction of an induced e.m.f. always opposes the change causing it.
Right-hand dynamo ruleFirst finger = field, thumb = motion, second finger = induced current.
SolenoidA coil of wire that produces a magnetic field like a bar magnet when a current flows.
GeneratorA device that converts movement into an electrical output by electromagnetic induction.

Avoid these mistakes

1
Thinking a stationary magnet inside a coil induces a current — the field must be changing or moving relative to the coil
2
Saying a bigger magnet induces a larger e.m.f. — a stronger magnet does, because size does not decide strength
3
Thinking the induced e.m.f. has the same direction when the magnet is removed — it reverses
4
Using the left hand for induction — the right-hand dynamo rule gives induced current and the left-hand rule gives the force on a current

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