Physics: Induction

Zern Park
Name: ______________
Inquiry Question
"Any change in the magnetic environment of a coil of wire will
induce a voltage in it." What does this mean? How did this
knowledge revolutionize the way we live?

Michael Faraday's major contribution to modern civilisation was through what became known as
Faraday's Law - the discovery of induction. This was a big factor in the Industrial Revolution. The
conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy hinges on this one key concept. Let's examine
how it works.

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Physics: Induction

Instructions
Using a pencil, answer the following questions. The lab is marked based on clarity of responses,
completeness, neatness, and accuracy. Do your best! Please ensure that any data measured (or
recorded) includes the appropriate number of significant digits (only one uncertain digit).

This activity is divided into three sections:

• Core – this first section explores only the basic “core” ideas involved in understanding.
Students must demonstrate a sound understand with all of their answers in this section
BEFORE attempting the next section.
• Mastery – Your instructor will NOT review this section if the Core section above shows any
misconceptions. In this section students will make predictions and apply the concepts and
ideas learned above. For complete mastery it is expected that data collection and scientific
procedures will be as accurate as possible. All work shown should be clear with any units
included. Answers should be rounded off to the correct number of significant figures based on
the data collected.
• Ace – Once again, your instructor will only look at this section provided he/she is confident
that the above Mastery criteria has been met. In this section students will demonstrate a deeper
understanding of the concepts through error analysis, experimental design etc. Physics
concepts from other units already covered will often be required here.

Open the PHET simulation entitled Faraday’s Electromagnetic Lab. (click on the image below or follow
the link https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/faraday/latest/faraday.html?simulation=faraday

Notice the five tabs across the top of the simulation. Choose the Pickup Coil tab and follow the
instructions below.

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Physics: Induction

Part 1: Core

Pickup Coil
1. Experiment with the simulation. Determine the best way to the most light out of the light bulb.
Discuss, is point form, exactly how to use the magnet and the coil to light the bulb given the
constraints below:
Constraint What (exactly) must be done to light the bulb
(discuss direction of motion necessary for best
results)
The coil must remain stationary
wehave Little magnet to
achein the lightof lightbulb
strongest

Nfete ff.net heard sucksthrough

The bar magnet remains stationary

we have to love the coil horizontally
to acheive the strongest light of
lightbulb more the coil horizontally and
quickly through the magnet
light bulb might light when coil is
moved vertically white magnetis inside it
However the lightwould not be
strong enough

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Physics: Induction

2. Recreate the arrangements shown below. Follow the motions of the arrows in the diagrams.
Rank the arrangements and motions shown from most effective to least effective in terms of
lighting the bulb, allowing for ties. For example, if A were most effective, B were least
effective, and C and D were equivalent to one another, the ranking would be A > C = D > B. To
maintain controls try and achieve the same speeds when moving and be sure to moving exactly as
shown (avoid elliptical motions).
A. B.

affrangeD. af.IE
C.

almost
Fifout No change

a. Your rankings:
BSA D
b. Explain your rankings in terms of change in flux (Δϕ). You may have to review your
tutorials for this.

Megutre flux change occurred

bythe magnetic field also leads
to EMF which occursthe light bulbto emit the
strongestlight thereforethemost effective wayis to move magnet
inside the coilhorizontally which
was C C
ffet acheives the strongest light on the lightbulb

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Physics: Induction

3. Move the bar magnet through the coil and observe the motion of the electrons in the forward arc
of the coil loops. Report the correlations of magnet motion and electron motion.
For example:
i. Magnet approaches from the left, north pole first; electrons move downward
ii. Magnet departs to the right, south end last; electrons move upward
.
…or (where the single headed arrows show direction of magnet and double-headed arrows shows
direction of electron flow)

a. Complete the sketches below by showing the direction of electron flow in the coil. Use
double-headed arrows as shown above.

b. How would the above answers change if we were determining the direction of current flow, I,
in the coil instead of electron flow?
Converting currentand the movementof electron is opposite to each other
___________________________________________________________________________

wehave to sketchthe conventional current direction tobe the direct opposit of

___________________________________________________________________________

the movementof election

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Physics: Induction

Transformer
Click on the Transformer tab at the top of the simulation. Play with the simulation settings and try and
get the light bulb to achieve the greatest luminosity. Answer the questions below.

1. Discuss the similarities and differences between this set-up and the Pickup Coil setup used above.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Describe the set-up required (the settings you chose) to achieve maximum illumination of the
light bulb WITHOUT moving either the electromagnet or the pickup coil. Discuss how this
setup satisfies the requirement that the flux, Φ, must be changing to generate a current in the coil
(see 2b in Part 1)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

3. Leave the current source as AC. Create experiments to test how changing the variables below
affects the current through the pickup coil (the brightness of the bulb). You can change the
indictor on the pickup coil from the light bulb to a voltmeter if required. Complete the table
below:
Variable Effect on Induced Current How does this variable affect the
(bulb brightness) flux captured by the pickup coil?
(ϕ = BA)
Increasing the number of
loops in the electromagnet

Increasing the number of

loops in the pickup coil

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Physics: Induction

4. The equation to determine the induced emf, ε, in the pickup coil is given by
𝛥𝜙
𝜀 = −𝑁
𝛥𝑡

a. Describe, exactly, what Δt is in this equation. What is the relationship between Δt and ε?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

b. Describe how you can use this simulation to confirm the relationship between Δt and ε.
Remember that ε refers to the induced voltage in the pickup coil (i.e. the brightness of the
bulb).
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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Physics: Induction

Part 2: Mastery

Generator
Click on the Generator tab at the top of the screen and answer the questions below:

1. Describe the settings you used to achieve the maximum brightness of the bulb. Relate these
settings to the equation
𝛥𝜙
𝜀 = −𝑁
𝛥𝑡

Variable Setting How this affects 𝜀 = −𝑁

𝛥𝜙
𝛥𝑡

Bar Magnet Strength

Water Flow

Number of Loops in Pickup

Coil

Area of Pickup Coil

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Physics: Induction

2. What is the story of light production here? Organize and connect the given “plot elements”
and add any key elements that were omitted from the list to construct the complete story.
Create a FLOW CHART that clearly shows how light is produced from water.
• light radiated from the bulb
• changing magnetic field
• induced electric current
• motion of the bar magnet
• kinetic energy of the water
• heat the filament

Organize your solution as a fully labeled diagram below:

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Physics: Induction

Part 3: Ace
1. The hydro-electric energy produced by a dam has been engineered to be very efficient. What, in
terms of physics, is meant when we say that a hydroelectric dam is 90% efficient? What
quantities must be measured and compared?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. Examine your "story" of energy production from the Mastery section above. Outline three key
transitions where energy would be lost significantly. Rank these three choices from greatest loss
of energy to least loss in the table below. Then outline the equations involved at each point, and
how you would improve the efficiency. Be sure to reference your equations and how they would
be affected by your improvements.
Transition Rank: Equations Involved: Design Changes to Improve Efficiency:
(from largest loss in energy to
smallest loss)
1.

2.

3.

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