Induction

When a bar magnet moves toward a coil, current flows through it. If the magnet moves away, current flows in the opposite direction. This occurs because the changing magnetic field induces an emf in the coil. The direction of the induced current depends on the direction of motion, and faster motion produces greater emf.

Induced current flows due to changing magnetic flux through the coil. Whether the magnet or coil moves, it is the relative motion that matters. When the magnet is stationary relative to the coil, no emf is induced. The faster the relative motion, the greater the induced emf and resulting current.

When a current-carrying coil moves toward or away from a stationary coil, emf is induced in the second coil. Similarly, opening or closing a switch in the first coil induces an instantaneous current pulse in the second coil. This mutual induction occurs because the changing magnetic field from one circuit affects the other nearby circuit.

Induced emf is the electromotive force generated when magnetic flux changes through a coil. Induced current is the actual flow of charge resulting from that induced emf. The induced emf drives the induced current through the circuit. Both occur whenever there is relative motion between a magnetic field and a conducting coil.

The common factor in all induction scenarios is changing magnetic flux. Whether produced by a time-dependent magnetic field or by motion changing the flux through a circuit, induction occurs because of the non-static nature of the forces involved. This distinguishes induction from static electric fields produced by stationary charge distributions.

Reversing the poles of a bar magnet reverses the direction of the induced emf in the coil. The magnitude of the induced emf depends on the rate of change of magnetic flux, while the polarity depends on which pole approaches the coil. This directional relationship is fundamental to understanding electromagnetic induction behavior.

When a switch controls current in one coil, opening or closing it induces an instantaneous current pulse in a nearby second coil. The switch creates a time-varying magnetic field by changing the current flow, which alters the magnetic flux through the second coil and triggers induction. This demonstrates that changing magnetic flux, not steady fields, produces induced currents.