What happens when a conductor moves through a magnetic field?
A potential difference is induced across its ends.
When a straight conductor is moved so that it cuts the lines of a magnetic field, the free electrons inside it experience a magnetic force along its length.
This force pushes electrons toward one end, leaving the other end relatively positive, so charges separate until an electric field balances the magnetic force.
The separated charges set up a potential difference, called the induced EMF, between the two ends of the conductor, in accordance with Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.
The magnetic field itself is not strengthened by the motion, and no light or significant heating is produced unless the conductor forms part of a closed circuit carrying a large current.
Hence, moving a conductor through a magnetic field induces a potential difference across its ends.
Similar Questions
The direction of the magnetic field at the centre of a current-carrying circular loop is determined by which of the following?
A single-turn coil of radius R produces a magnetic field B at its centre. If the same wire is wound into a coil of n turns (each of radius R/n) carrying the same current I, what will be the value of the new field at the centre?
A student places a compass near a straight, current-carrying conductor and observes the needle deflect. What does this observation indicate about the region around the conductor?
In Fleming's Left Hand Rule, which finger represents the direction of the magnetic field?
An experiment uses a compass near a straight current-carrying wire. What does the compass needle indicate?
What does a higher degree of closeness of magnetic field lines indicate?
A device uses the principle of magnetic fields around a current-carrying conductor to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. Which device operates on this principle?
A student wants to use the Right Hand Thumb Rule to determine the direction of the magnetic field around a current-carrying straight conductor. Which of the following steps is essential in applying the rule correctly?
Why are magnetic field lines due to current in a straight conductor denser near the wire and farther apart as distance increases?
A technician reverses the direction of current in a conductor placed in a magnetic field. According to Fleming's Left Hand Rule, what will happen to the direction of force on the conductor?
Important Questions from Magnetism
The magnet used to lift and transport heavy loads like big metals, steel girders and scrap iron objects for loading and unloading purposes is known as____.
A suspended bar magnet is rotated. It will come to rest in the north-south direction. This shows that the earth has its own_______.
When a bar magnet is cut into two equal parts, then:
Consider the following statements about a magnetic field.
(i) A magnetic field has both magnitude and direction.
(ii) The direction of magnetic field lines inside a bar magnet is from its south pole to its north pole.
(iii) Magnetic field lines are closed curves.
Select the correct option.
What will happen if a collection of positive and negative charges are passed at a high speed through a magnetic field which is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the charges? (Assume that both kind of charges are NOT going to recombine)
