Topic 23: Electromagnetic induction

23.1 Laws of Electromagnetic induction:

x- sectional area, A (m2) B I Field lines or magnetic flux, φ (Wb)

magnetic field strength or flux density

Current passing through coil of solenoid creates a magnetic field inside it. At the centre, flux density is B
whereas at the ends, it is B / 2. The magnetic field lines are known as magnetic flux, φ.

- Magnetic flux Fig. 1 coil of area, A B Fig. 2

α
ᶿ
Symbol: φ B
Unit: Weber (Wb) B sin θ
Definition: The magnetic flux is the product of magnetic flux density and the area perpendicular to the flux
lines.
Formula: (i) φ = A B
(ii) φ = A B sin θ (Fig. 2; if field is an angle θ to the plane of the coil)
(iii) φ = A B cos α (Fig. 2; if field is an angle α to normal to the coil)
- Flux linkage:
If a coil of N turns is placed in the uniform magnetic field, then flux linkage is equal to the product N φ = NAB.

- Faraday’s law:
Considering a magnetic field and a The direction of the induced emf
is given by Fleming’s RH rule.
straight conductor Emf
Emf B
B F

v
Consider a conductor being moved downwards, at a steady speed v, perpendicular to a magnetic field of flux
density B. it cuts the flux lines Δφ in time Δt. As a result, an emf is induced in the conductor given by E = -

Δϕ
.
Δt
Statement: Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction states that the induced emf is proportional to
the rate of cutting of flux.
dϕ d ( AB)
Formula: E = - =- ‘-‘ expresses Lenz’s law
dt dt

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Statement: Lenz’s law states that the induced emf and hence the current always occurs such as to
oppose the change in flux producing it.
- Considering a magnet and a coil of N turns:
magnet being inserted in coil flux ‘cutting’ copper coil

S N
poles ‘induced’ at ends of coil is given by F RH grip rule.

dNϕ d ( NAB)
(i) Induced emf is proportional to the rate of change of flux linkage. E = - =- = -NA
dt dt

dB
dt
(ii) North pole created on the left and South pole on the right (Lenz’s law)

Factors affecting the magnitude of the induced emf:

(i) Greater number of turns in the coil
(ii) Stronger magnet
(iii) Coil of larger cross sectional area
(iv) Speed of magnet relative to coil

Ex. : The uniform flux density between the poles of a magnet is 0.080 T. A small coil of area of cross section 6.5
cm2 has 250 turns and is placed with its plane normal to the magnetic field. The coil is withdrawn from the
field in a time of 0.26 s. Determine (i) the magnetic flux through the coil, (ii) the change in flux linkage when it
is removed, (iii) the average emf induced.
(ϕ=¿5.2 x 10-5 Wb; Nϕ=¿ -1.3 x 10-2 Wb; E = - (-1.3 x 10-2/ 0.26) = 0.050 V)

Simple applications of EMI:

(i) Straight conductor:
Consider a rod PQ of length L in a magnetic field,
moving a distance x perpendicularly through the
field in a time t.

Area swept in time t = L x

d ( AB) BLx
E = => E = => E = B L v
dt t
x

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(ii) Emf induced between two coils:
When the switch is closed (Fig.1 below), an emf is induced in coil 2 due to the change in flux linkage. When the
magnetic flux is at its maximum, there is no change in flux therefore the induced emf is zero. When the switch
is opened, the magnetic flux decays and again an emf is induced in coil 2 but in the opposite direction.
In Fig. 2, an alternating source is used instead of a d.c. The flux changes in synchrony with the current in coil 1.
This varying flux linkage continuously induces an emf in coil 2 which is seen by the to and fro movement of the
pointer. Fig.1 Fig.2

(iii) The transformer:

Laminated soft iron core

of Np turns of N s turns
Power Losses involved: Power Losses reduced by:

(i) Heat losses in coils (i) Lamination

(ii) Magnetic hysteresis (magnetic friction) (ii) Minimizing magnetic flux leakage
(iii) Heat loss by induced eddys in primary (iii) Using special iron alloys

Derivation of formulas:

dϕ p d ( N p AB) dϕs d ( N s AB )
Ф p = Np A B => Vp = - = - ; Ф s = Ns A B => Vs = - = -
dt dt dt dt
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 For an ideal transformer, i.e 100% efficient:
From (1) and (2), we get,
Vp Is
Pi = Po => Ip Vp = Is Vs => = ……………(1) Is N p
Vs Ip = ……………(3)
Ip Ns
N p AB
−d Note: (i) I p is out of phase with I s
Vp dt Vp Np
= => = ……………(2)
Vs N s AB Vs Ns (ii) V p is out of phase with V s
−d
dt

(iv) The ac generator:

Anti- clockwise rotation with angular speed, ω ; coil ABCD has N turns.

C (i) Ф = N A B sin θ

d (sin θ)
N S θ N S (ii) E = - NAB
dt

B coil (iii) θ = ω t => θ = 2 π f t

Note : (i) Current changes direction every half cycle therefore it is an a.c.

(ii) When the coil is horizontal,

(a) the emf induced is maximum as maximum flux is being cut by the conductor.

(b) flux passing through the coil, Ф = 0

(iii) When the coil is vertical,

(a) the emf induced is zero as no flux is being cut by the conductor.

(b) flux passing through the coil, Ф = NAB (maximum value)

Transformer:
Graphs: (a) Current I ; Ф with t E with t
I/ A

+ I0 4

E = - gradient of Ф v/s t graph

 T/4 T/2 3T/4 T time/s

- I0

C B B C
Side B C
B C
B C C B
(b) Flux, Ф passing through coil:
Ф / Wb

Ф0

T/4 T/2 3T/4 T time/s

Ф0

(c) EMF :
EMF :
E/V
d (sin θ)
+E0 From E = - NAB and θ = 2 π f
dt
t,

d (sin(2 π f t))
E = - NAB
dt
T/4 T/2 3T/4 T time/s
 E = - NAB 2 π f cos(2 π f t)

- E0  E = - E0 cos2 π f t

(iii) Eddy currents:

An aluminum disc is made to move fast, it may take a long time for it to come to rest. If the aluminum disc
is placed between the poles of a strong magnet, it stops immediately. Why?

This is because the aluminum disc is moving in a magnetic field and hence currents are induced in it. These
currents are known as Eddy currents and they have a magnetic effect which by Lenz’s law opposes the
motion of the disc.

A simple way to reduce Eddy current is to make slots on the disc, this will prevent damping.

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c/w : Nov. 2004 p4/4; June 2005 p4/6; Nov. 2005 p4/6 ; Nov. 2006 p4/5;  Nov. 2012 p43/5.