Applications Of Induced Currents

Front

Lenz's Law Noun

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[len-zez law]

Back

Lenz's Law

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The principle that an induced magnetic field's direction opposes the change in the original magnetic field that produced it.

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Example: As a magnet falls through a conductive copper pipe, it induces an electric current. This current creates its own magnetic field that opposes the magnet's motion.

Front

EMF (Electromotive Force) Noun

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[ee-em-ef]

Back

EMF (Electromotive Force)

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The potential difference induced in a conductor when it moves through a magnetic field or is in a changing magnetic field.

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Example: Rotating a wire coil (conductor) within a magnetic field induces an electromotive force (EMF), creating a current that powers the light bulb.

Front

Induced Current Noun

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[in-doost kur-ent]

Back

Induced Current

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The flow of electric charge that is produced by a changing magnetic field within a complete circuit.

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Example: Moving a magnet relative to a coil of wire creates, or induces, an electric current in the wire, which is detected by the galvanometer.

Front

Induced Field Noun

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[in-doost feeld]

Back

Induced Field

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The magnetic field produced by an induced current, which acts to oppose the change in the field that created it.

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Example: Closing the switch creates a magnetic field in the iron ring, which in turn induces an electric current in the second coil, shown by the meter.

Front

Generator Noun

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[jen-uh-rey-ter]

Back

Generator

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A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, typically by rotating a coil of wire in a magnetic field.

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Example: Turning the crank (mechanical energy) spins a coil of wire inside a magnet, which induces an electric current to light up the LEDs (electrical energy).

Front

Armature Noun

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[ahr-muh-cher]

Back

Armature

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The rotating coil or coils of a dynamo or electric motor which carries the current.

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Example: This diagram shows the parts of a motor's armature, which includes the rotor coils that spin inside the stator magnets when current flows.

Front

Motor Noun

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[moh-ter]

Back

Motor

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A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, typically through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors.

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Example: This diagram shows the main parts of an industrial electric motor, including the stationary 'stator' and the rotating 'rotor' inside a protective frame.

Front

Eddy Currents Noun

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[ed-ee kur-ents]

Back

Eddy Currents

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Currents generated in a piece of metal that is moving through a magnetic field, which oppose the motion causing them.

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Example: An alternating current in a coil creates a changing magnetic field, which induces circular electric currents, called eddy currents, in a nearby metal object.

Front

Eddy-Current Damping Noun

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[ed-ee kur-ent damp-ing]

Back

Eddy-Current Damping

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A braking effect on a moving piece of metal caused by the magnetic field produced by eddy currents, which opposes motion.

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Example: This image shows a triple-beam balance. A magnified view reveals a metal vane moving through a magnet, a real-world application of eddy-current damping.

Front

Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) Noun

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[mag-net-ik lev-i-tey-shuhn]

Back

Magnetic Levitation (Maglev)

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A method by which an object is suspended with no support other than magnetic fields, often used for high-speed trains.

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Example: This diagram shows a Maglev train floating above the track because a powerful upward magnetic force counteracts the train's downward weight, causing it to levitate.