Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) : In 1831 Michael Faraday discovered the effect

called Electromagnetic Induction just converse to the magnetic effect of electric current.
When a coil made of copper wire is placed inside a magnetic field, magnetic flux is linked with
the coil. Faraday found that when the magnetic flux linked with the coil is changed, an electric
current starts flowing in the coil, provided the coil is closed one. The current and e.m.f. so
produced are called induced current and induced e.m.f. The induced current and the e.m.f. in
the coil last only so long as the magnetic flux linked with the coil keeps on changing.
Thus electromagnetic induction is the phenomenon of production of electric current (or e.m.f.) in
a coil when the magnetic flux linked with the coil is changed.

Faradays Experiment
The following experiment performed by Faraday led to the discovery of the electromagnetic
induction.
When the strength of magnetic field is varied :
Consider two coil P and S wound on an iron rod. Iron rod is connected with galvanometer,
battery and tapping key. When tapping key is pressed and when it is released galvanometer
shows deflection showing the presence of induced current.
Explanation : When the tapping key is pressed then magnetic flux linked with the coil S
changed because of increase in magnetic field of coil P and induced current is produced and
when it is released magnetic flux is again changed and induced current is produced. But when
the tapping key is kept pressed then the magnetic flux linked with coil do not changed and
induced current do not produce so galvanometer shows no deflection.

Faradays Laws of Electromagnetic Induction :

The results of Faradays experiment on electromagnetic induction are known as Faradays Law
of Electromagnetic Induction. These are stated as below :
1. Whenever magnetic flux linked with a circuit (a loop of wire or a coil or an electric circuit in
general) changes, induced e.m.f. is produced.
2. The induced e.m.f. lasts as long as the change in magnetic flux continuous.
3. The magnitude of induced e.m.f. is directly proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux
linked with the circuit.

Lenzs Rule :
Lenzs rule is a convenient method to determine the direction of induced current produced in the
circuit.

Lenzs law states that the induced current produced in a circuit always flows in such a direction
that it opposes the change or cause that produce it.
Let us now apply Lenzs law to find the direction of flow of induced current in the circuit.
On pressing the key the current in the coil P flows in clockwise direction and magnetic lines of
force are directed from left to right. Then magnetic flux linked with the coil S changed. The
direction of induced current should be such that it should oppose the direction of flow of
magnetic field lines. So induced current in the coil S is in the direction opposite to the magnetic
field in P. Hence, direction of induced current in coil S is from right to left. So induced current in
coil S should flow in anticlockwise direction.

Expression for Motional e.m.f. :

Consider that a uniform magnetic field B confined to the region PQRS and a coil ABCD is
placed inside the magnetic field. The direction of magnetic field is perpendicular to the plane of
the coil and in inward direction.
Consider that at any time t, the part BA = CD = x(say) of the coil inside the magnetic field. If l is
the length of the arm BC of the coil, then area of coil inside the magnetic field at any time t.
A = BCX CD = lx
Therefore magnetic flux linked with the coil at any time t.

= BA = Blx

Suppose that the coil is pulled out of the magnetic field with velocity . As the coil is pulled out
magnetic flux linked with the coil changes. The time rate of change of magnetic flux linked with
the coil is given by
If

is induced e.m.f. produced, then

= -Bl
The negative sign shows that induced e.m.f. opposes to the coil being pulled out of magnetic
field.
Mutual Induction :
Consider two coil P and S are placed very close to each other. Coil P consists of battery and
tapping key and coil S consists of galvanometer G. When the key of coil P is pressed then

magnetic flux is building and induced e.m.f. produced in it opposes the flow of magnetic flux.
Because coil P and coil S are very close to each other. So magnetic flux also changed in coil S
and induced current is produced which opposes the direction of flow of magnetic lines of force in
coil P.
The phenomenon according to which an opposing e.m.f. is produced in a coil as a result of
change in current or magnetic flux linked with a neighboring coil is called mutual induction.

Coefficient of Mutual Induction :

Suppose that current I is flowing through coil P and

be the magnetic flux linked with coil S

I
= MI
M = Coefficient of mutual induction.
Let

be the induced e.m.f. in coil S.

=
M=

(-ive sign shows opposition of induced e.m.f.)

The mutual inductance of two coils is said to be one Henry, if a rate of change of current of 1
ampere per second in one coil induces an e.m.f. of 1 volt in neighboring coil.
Self Induction
Consider a coil connected to a battery and a tapping key. When key K is pressed magnetic lines
of forces starts growing through it and induced e.m.f. is produced. Direction of induced e.m.f. is
opposite to that of growth of current. On the other hand when key is released the current in the
coil decreases and e.m.f. is produced in opposite direction. Thus during both growth and decay
of current an opposite induced e.m.f. is produced. This e.m.f. is called back e.m.f.
The phenomenon according to which an opposing induced e.m.f. is produced in the coil as a
result of change in current or magnetic flux linked with the coil is called self induction.

Coefficient of Self Induction :

Suppose when key is pressed, current I flows through the coil and magnetic flux
the coil.

linked with

I
= MI
L is called coefficient of self induction.
Let

be the induced e.m.f.

M=

(-ive sign shows opposing nature of induced e.m.f.)

Self inductance of a coil is said to be one Henry if a rate of change of current of 1 ampere per
second induces an e.m.f. of one volt.

Eddy Currents :
Eddy currents are the currents induced in a conductor, when placed in a changing magnetic
field. They are also known as Focaults Currents.
Following experiment explain the origin of eddy currents. Introduce a soft iron core inside a
solenoid and connect it to the source of alternating current. Place a metallic disk over soft iron
core.
Explanation : When the circuit is switched on the current starts growing and hence magnetic
flux linked with disk also increases. Thus disk is converted to small magnet. If soft irons upper
face acquires north polarity. Then metallic disks lower surface acquires north polarity and due to
repulsive force metallic disk placed over soft iron core is thrown up into the air.

Application of Eddy Currents :

1. Dead Beat Galvanometers :
The oscillation of a moving coil galvanometer generally take a long time to die out. But by
winding its coil on a metallic frame made of copper or aluminium the galvanometer can be made

dead beat. It is because, due to production of eddy currents in a metallic frame. The coil of
galvanometer comes to rest very soon.
2. Speedometer :
In speedometer, a small magnet is geared to the main shaft of the vehicle. The magnet is
mounted in an aluminium cylinder with the help of hair springs. Due to rotation of magnet eddy
currents are produced which led the drum to oppose the motion of relating magnet drum
experience torque and gets deflected at certain angle.
3. Electric Brakes :
A metallic drum is coupled to the wheels of train ; so that when train rotates drum also rotates.
In order to stop the train magnetic field is applied to rotating drum. The eddy currents produced
oppose the motion of drum. Since drum is connected to wheels of train, it comes to halt.

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