Demonstration

Project

TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE

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PRODUCTION OF EDDY CURRENTS IN
A CONDUCTOR PLACED IN A
CHANGING MAGNETIC FIELD
2010-2011
Guided by: Submitted
by:
HOD: Mr. C.L. Choudhary Abhiraj
Singh Shekhawat
PGT, Physics XII Science –
B
 Army Public School Army
Public School
Jaipur Cantt. Jaipur Cantt.

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that this

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demonstration experiment has
been completed by Abhiraj Singh
Shekhawat of class XII Science –B
under my supervision.

Date: HOD: Mr. C.L.

Choudhary
PGT, Physics
Army Public
School
 Jaipur Cantt.

ACKNOWLEDGEME

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NT
I would like to express my deep
views and sincere gratitude towards
my teacher Mr. C.L. Choudhary,
without their guidance this project
could not have been completed.
 I would also like to thank
the school authority for their
genuine support.
I would also like to thank
all my friends, my parents
especially my elder sister and of

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course god with whose blessings I
am able to complete this project
successfully.
“Thanking you all.”
Abhiraj Singh Shekhawat
XII Science-B
PROJECT
Aim:
To demonstrate that the production of the Eddy
currents in a conductor placed in a changed magnetic
field.
Materials Required:
Horse shoe magnet, strong magnets, aluminium rod,
glass rod, and copper metallic disc on electric motor
platform.
Theory:
Eddy currents were discovered by the Foucault in the
year 1895 and hence they are also called Foucault
currents.

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“Whenever there is a change in the
magnetic flux linked with a conductor, an induced
current is produced inside the conductor. This is called
eddy currents or Foucault currents.”
Or
“Eddy currents are the currents induced
in the bulk pieces of conductor when the amount of the
magnetic flux linked with the conductor changes.”
Or
“When we move a metal plate out of a
magnetic field, the relative motion of the field and the
conductor again induces a current in the conductor.
The conduction electrons making up the induced
current whirl about within the plate as if they were
caught in an eddy or whirlpool of water. This is also
called the Whirlpool currents.”

Direction of the Eddy currents:

The direction of eddy currents is given by the Lenz’s
law or the Fleming’s right hand rule. According to
Lenz’s law, the direction of a current will such that it
opposes the motion of the conductor. This effect of

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eddy current is known as the “damping effect”.
Magnitude of the eddy currents:
Current (I) = induced e.m.f.
Resistance
I = e/R
But e= dØ/dt
I = dØ/dt
R

Eddy Current Brake:

An Eddy current brake, like a conventional friction
brake, which is responsible for showing an object, such
as a train or a roller coaster. Unlike a friction brakes,
which apply pressure on two separate objects, thus
eddy currents brakes slow an object by creating eddy
current through the electromagnetic induction which
creates resistance and in turn either heat or electricity.

Eddy current brake can be explained by the

experimental procedure:
• Experiment 1:
In our experiment, a copper metallic disc is

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rotated with the help of electric motor. When a
strong horse shoe magnet is brought near rotating
copper metallic disc. Then, Lenz’s law “there is an
always an oppose of the rotating /moving
conductor in an external magnetic field.” Thus,
eddy current produces on the surface copper
metallic disc will oppose an external magnetic
field. Hence, speed of rotating copper metallic disc
slows down.

• Experiment 2:
When a strong magnet is dropped
simultaneously in a metallic aluminium tube and
glass tube comes earlier while magnet in
aluminium tube takes time. As per the Lenz’s law-
there is again opposes of moving magnet due to
eddy current produced on the surface of aluminium
tube.
Application of Eddy current:
1. Eddy current brakes:
Brakes which are used in the commercial
vehicles are worked out very easily due to
friction between brakes and rim whereas there
is no friction in eddy current brakes. Hence,

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maintenance cost can be reduced.
2. Dead beat Galvanometer:
When steady current is passed through the coil
of galvanometer, it is deflected. As the coil is
deflected, an eddy current set up in the
metallic frame and opposes its motion.
Therefore, the coil attains its equilibrium
position almost instantly. Thus motion of the
coil is damped.
3. Induction furnace:
It is used to produce high temperature which is
utilized in preparing alloys by melting the
constituent metals. High frequency alternating
current is passed through the coil which
surrounds the constituent metals. The large
 eddy current generated in the metals produce
high temperature sufficient to melt the metals.
4. Electric power meters:
In the power meter of the house, we must have
observed a rotating shiny disc. This metal disc
which rotates due to eddy currents developed
in the disc, by magnetic fields produced by
alternating current.

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Undesirable effect of the eddy current:
1. They oppose the relative motion.
2. They involve the loss of energy in the form
of heat.
3. The excessive heating may break the
insulation in the appliances and also
reduce their life.
Minimization of eddy current:
Eddy current can be minimized by using proper
insulating laminated core.
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