Electromagnetic Induction: The Basics

 Know that a voltage is induced in a conductor or a coil when it

moves through a magnetic field or when a magnetic field changes
through it and describe the factors that affect the size of the
induced voltage.

 Electromagnetic induction is the opposite of the motor effect:

o Instead of using electricity to create motion, motion is being used to
create electricity.
 When a conductor (such as a wire) is moved through a magnetic field, the
wire cuts through the field’s lines, inducing a voltage in the wire.

When a wire is forced through a magnetic field, a voltage is induced between the
ends of the wire

 The voltage can be increased by:

o Moving the wire faster.
o Increasing the strength of the magnetic field.
Generators

 Describe the generation of electricity by the rotation of a magnet

within a coil of wire and of a coil of wire within a magnetic field,
and describe the factors that affect the size of the induced voltage.

Generators

 A generator looks very similar to a motor, but instead of connecting it to a

power supply, the coil is spun by some mechanical process which then
produces electricity.

When a coil is spun in a magnetic field, a voltage is induced between the ends of
the coil

 As the coil rotates, it cuts through the field lines.

 This induces a voltage between the end of the coil
(which could then create a current).
 The size of this voltage could be increased by:
o Turning the coil faster
o Increasing the strength of the magnetic field
o Adding more turns to the coil.
Dynamos

 A dynamo works by a slightly different process:

o Instead of turning a coil inside a magnetic field, a magnet is rotated
inside (or next to) a coil.

Diagram showing a bicycle dynamo

 The magnet inside the dynamo creates a magnetic field which passes
through the coil.
 When the rotor is turned, the magnet rotates, and the field lines cut through
the sides of the coil.
 This induces a voltage in the coil
(which can then create a current).
 The voltage can be increased by:
o Spinning the magnet faster.
o Using a stronger magnet.
o Adding more turns to the coil.

Exam Tip

 The principal idea here is that when a conductor cuts through field lines, it
induces a voltage.
  Motors and generators look very similar, but they do very different things.
When tackling a question on either of them, make sure you are writing about
the right one!
 Remember to say ‘add more turns to the coil’ and not ‘add more coils’ – if
you give the second one it will be marked wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HyORmBip-w