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Electromagnetic Induction

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism · Topic 13

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13.1

Magnetic Flux

Syllabus
Learning ObjectiveEssential Knowledge

13.1.A
Describe the magnetic flux through an arbitrary area or geometric shape.

  • 13.1.A.1 For a magnetic field $\vec{B}$ that is constant across an area $\vec{A}$, the magnetic flux through the area is defined as $\Phi_B = \vec{B} \cdot \vec{A}$ .
    • 13.1.A.1.i The area vector is defined as perpendicular to the plane of the surface and outward from a closed surface.
    • 13.1.A.1.ii The sign of flux is given by the dot product of the magnetic field vector and the area vector.
  • 13.1.A.2 The total magnetic flux passing through a surface is defined by the surface integral of the magnetic field over the surface area.
    • Equation: $\Phi_B = \displaystyle\int \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{A}$

Source: College Board AP Course and Exam Description

Magnetic flux 磁通量 measures how much magnetic field passes through a surface. For a uniform field through a flat loop it is the dot product $\Phi_B=\vec{B}\cdot\vec{A}=BA\cos\theta$; in general it is the surface integral 面积分

$$\Phi_B=\int \vec{B}\cdot d\vec{A}.$$

The area vector 面积矢量 is perpendicular to the surface (outward from a closed one), and the sign of the flux comes from the dot product. Flux changes if $B$ changes, the area changes, or the loop turns – keep all three routes in mind, because each one is an exam question.

Vocabulary Train
English Chinese Pinyin
Magnetic flux 磁通量 cí tōng liàng
surface integral 面积分 miàn jī fēn
area vector 面积矢量 miàn jī shǐ liàng
13.2

Electromagnetic Induction

Syllabus
Learning ObjectiveEssential Knowledge

13.2.A
Describe the induced electric potential difference resulting from a change in magnetic flux.

  • 13.2.A.1 Faraday's law describes the relationship between changing magnetic flux and the resulting induced emf in a system.
    • Equation: $\mathcal{E} = -\dfrac{d\Phi_B}{dt} = -\dfrac{d\left(\vec{B} \cdot \vec{A}\right)}{dt}$
    • 13.2.A.1.i When the area of the surface being considered is constant, the induced emf is equal to the area multiplied by the rate of change in the component of the magnetic field perpendicular to the surface.
    • 13.2.A.1.ii When the magnetic field is constant, the induced emf is equal to the magnetic field multiplied by the rate of change in area perpendicular to the magnetic field.
    • 13.2.A.1.iii When an emf is induced in a long solenoid, the total induced emf is equal to the induced emf in a single loop multiplied by the number of loops in the solenoid.
      • Equation: $\left|\mathcal{E}_{\text{sol}}\right| = N\left|\dfrac{d\Phi_B}{dt}\right|$
  • 13.2.A.2 Lenz's law is used to determine the direction of an induced emf resulting from a changing magnetic flux.
    • 13.2.A.2.i An induced emf generates a current that creates a magnetic field that opposes the change in magnetic flux.
    • 13.2.A.2.ii The right-hand rule is used to determine the relationships between current, emf, and magnetic flux.
  • 13.2.A.3 Maxwell's equations are the collection of equations that fully describe electromagnetism. Maxwell's third equation is Faraday's law of induction, which describes the relationship between a changing magnetic flux and an induced electric field.
    • Equation: $\mathcal{E} = \oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{\ell} = -\dfrac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$
  • 13.2.A.4 Maxwell's equations can be used to show that electric and magnetic fields obey wave equations and that electromagnetic waves travel at a constant speed in free space.
    • Equation (derived): $c = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{\varepsilon_0 \mu_0}}$

Boundary statement: AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism does not expect students to mathematically derive the speed of light in free space from Maxwell's equations. This relationship is included above solely as an indication of the further applications, implications, and connections to physical phenomena that students may study in more advanced physics courses.

Source: College Board AP Course and Exam Description

Electromagnetic induction

A changing flux induces an emf 电动势Faraday's law 法拉第定律:

$$\varepsilon=-\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}.$$

With constant area, $\varepsilon=-A\,\dfrac{dB_\perp}{dt}$; with constant field, $\varepsilon=-B\,\dfrac{dA_\perp}{dt}$. A coil of $N$ turns multiplies the single-loop emf: $|\varepsilon_{\text{sol}}|=N\left|\dfrac{d\Phi_B}{dt}\right|$.

Lenz's law 楞次定律 is the minus sign: the induced current 感应电流 flows so that its own magnetic field opposes the change in flux that created it. Push a magnet toward a loop and the loop pushes back; pull it away and the loop pulls it in. Use the right-hand rule 右手定则 to turn "oppose the change" into a current direction.

Moving a magnet into a coil induces an e.m.f. that drives a current Moving a magnet into a coil induces an e.m.f. that drives a current

A rod of length $L$ sliding at speed $v$ across a field is the special case worth memorising – the motional emf 动生电动势 $\varepsilon=BLv$.

Worked example. A $0.20\ \text{m}$ rod slides at $3.0\ \text{m/s}$ across a $0.50\ \text{T}$ field: $\varepsilon=BLv=0.50(0.20)(3.0)=0.30\ \text{V}$. Equivalently, if a single loop's flux drops from $0.020\ \text{Wb}$ to $0.008\ \text{Wb}$ in $0.030\ \text{s}$, the average emf is $\varepsilon=\dfrac{0.012}{0.030}=0.40\ \text{V}$.

Faraday's law is also the third of Maxwell's equations 麦克斯韦方程组, in a deeper form: a changing magnetic flux creates a circulating electric field, $\oint\vec{E}\cdot d\vec{l}=-\dfrac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$ – that field is what pushes the charges around the loop. Together, Maxwell's equations predict electromagnetic waves 电磁波 travelling at $c=1/\sqrt{\varepsilon_0\mu_0}$ (you should know this connection, but AP will not ask you to derive it).

The coiled rotor of an electric motor Coils of wire spinning in a magnetic field: moving them past the field induces a current, the basis of a generator

Explore

Induce a current by moving a magnet

A changing magnetic flux through a coil induces an EMF (Faraday's law); its direction opposes the change (Lenz's law). Move the magnet faster for a bigger EMF.

Vocabulary Train
English Chinese Pinyin
emf 电动势 diàn dòng shì
Faraday's law 法拉第定律 fǎ lā dì dìng lǜ
Lenz's law 楞次定律 léng cì dìng lǜ
induced current 感应电流 gǎn yìng diàn liú
right-hand rule 右手定则 yòu shǒu dìng zé
motional emf 动生电动势 dòng shēng diàn dòng shì
Maxwell's equations 麦克斯韦方程组 mài kè sī wéi fāng chéng zǔ
electromagnetic waves 电磁波 diàn cí bō
Exercise sheet
13.3

Induced Currents and Magnetic Forces

Syllabus
Learning ObjectiveEssential Knowledge

13.3.A
Describe the force exerted on a conductor due to the interaction between an external magnetic field and an induced current within that conductor.

  • 13.3.A.1 When an induced current is created in a conductive loop, the already-present magnetic field will exert a magnetic force on the moving charge carriers within the loop.
    • Equation: $\vec{F}_B = \displaystyle\int I\left(d\vec{\ell} \times \vec{B}\right)$
  • 13.3.A.2 When current is induced in a conducting loop, magnetic forces are only exerted on the segments of the loop that are within the external magnetic field. These magnetic forces may cause translational or rotational acceleration.
  • 13.3.A.3 The force on a conducting loop is proportional to the induced current in the loop, which depends on the rate of change of magnetic flux, the resistance of the loop, and the velocity of the loop.
  • 13.3.A.4 Newton's second law can be applied to a conducting loop moving in a magnetic field as it experiences an induced emf.

Source: College Board AP Course and Exam Description

Once an induced current flows, the external field exerts forces on it ($\vec{F}=\int I\,d\vec{l}\times\vec{B}$) – and by Lenz's law those forces always resist the motion that causes the induction. Only the segments of the loop actually inside the field feel a force, which can make a loop accelerate, rotate, or brake. This is the origin of eddy currents 涡电流 braking, and you can apply Newton's second law to a moving loop or rod like any other mechanics problem.

Induced eddy currents oppose motion, quickly damping a metal plate swinging in a field Induced eddy currents oppose motion, quickly damping a metal plate swinging in a field

The classic setup is a rod sliding on conducting rails connected by a resistor:

A rod sliding on rails: the induced current feels a force opposing the motion A rod sliding on rails: the induced current feels a force opposing the motion

Worked example (the full chain). Rails $L=0.20\ \text{m}$ apart with resistance $R=0.60\ \Omega$ sit in a $0.50\ \text{T}$ field into the page. The rod is pushed at a constant $3.0\ \text{m/s}$. Then: $\varepsilon=BLv=0.30\ \text{V}$; $I=\varepsilon/R=0.50\ \text{A}$; the field pushes back on the rod with $F=BIL=0.50(0.50)(0.20)=0.050\ \text{N}$. The pushing force does work at $P=Fv=0.15\ \text{W}$ – exactly the $P=I^2R=0.15\ \text{W}$ dissipated in the resistor. Mechanical work becomes electrical energy: that is a generator 发电机, and energy is conserved. Released with no push, the rod slows exponentially: $ma=-\dfrac{B^2L^2}{R}v$.

Exam skill. FRQs walk this exact chain: flux $\to$ emf $\to$ current $\to$ force $\to$ Newton's second law. Write each link separately and check the direction with Lenz's law at the end.

Vocabulary Train
English Chinese Pinyin
eddy currents 涡电流 wō diàn liú
generator 发电机 fā diàn jī
13.4

Inductance

Syllabus
Learning ObjectiveEssential Knowledge

13.4.A
Describe the physical and electrical properties of an inductor.

  • 13.4.A.1 Inductance is the tendency of a conductor to oppose a change in electrical current.
    • 13.4.A.1.i Inductance of a conductor depends on the physical properties of the conductor. Straight wires are typically modeled as having zero inductance.
    • 13.4.A.1.ii An inductor, such as a solenoid, is a circuit element that has significant inductance.
    • 13.4.A.1.iii The inductance of a solenoid is dependent on the total number of turns, the length of the solenoid, the cross-sectional area of the solenoid, and magnetic permeability of the solenoid's core.
      • Equation: $L_{\text{sol}} = \dfrac{\mu_{\text{core}} N^2 A}{\ell}$
  • 13.4.A.2 Inductors store energy in the magnetic field that is generated by current in the inductor.
    • Equation: $U_L = \dfrac{1}{2} L I^2$
    • 13.4.A.2.i The energy stored in the magnetic field generated by an inductor in which current is flowing can be dissipated through a resistor or used to charge a capacitor.
    • 13.4.A.2.ii The transfer of energy generated in an inductor to other forms of energy obeys conservation laws.
  • 13.4.A.3 By applying Faraday's law to an inductor and using the definition of inductance, induced emf can be related to inductance and the rate of change of current.
    • Equation: $\mathcal{E}_i = -L\dfrac{dI}{dt}$

Source: College Board AP Course and Exam Description

Inductance 电感 is a conductor's tendency to oppose a change in its own current: changing current changes its own flux, which self-induces an emf. From Faraday's law,

$$\varepsilon=-L\frac{dI}{dt}.$$

An inductor 电感器 is a circuit element built to have large inductance – usually a solenoid 螺线管, where geometry gives

$$L_{\text{sol}}=\frac{\mu_{\text{core}}N^2A}{\ell},$$

with $N$ total turns, area $A$, length $\ell$, and the magnetic permeability 磁导率 of the core. (Straight wires are modelled as having zero inductance.) An inductor carrying current $I$ stores energy in its magnetic field:

$$U_L=\tfrac{1}{2}LI^2,$$

which can later be dissipated in a resistor or moved into a capacitor – conservation of energy applies as usual.

Vocabulary Train
English Chinese Pinyin
inductance 电感 diàn gǎn
inductor 电感器 diàn gǎn qì
solenoid 螺线管 luó xiàn guǎn
magnetic permeability 磁导率 cí dǎo lǜ
13.5

Circuits with Resistors and Inductors

Syllabus
Learning ObjectiveEssential Knowledge

13.5.A
Describe the physical and electrical properties of a circuit containing a combination of resistors and a single inductor.

  • 13.5.A.1 A resistor will dissipate energy that was stored in an inductor as the current changes.
  • 13.5.A.2 Kirchhoff's loop rule can be applied to a series LR circuit with a battery of emf $\mathcal{E}$, resulting in a differential equation that describes the current in the loop.
    • Equation (derived): $\mathcal{E} = IR + L\dfrac{dI}{dt}$
  • 13.5.A.3 The time constant is a significant feature of the behavior of an LR circuit.
    • 13.5.A.3.i The time constant of a circuit is a measure of how quickly an LR circuit will reach a steady state and is described with the equation $\tau = \dfrac{L}{R_{\text{eq}}}$ .
    • 13.5.A.3.ii The time constant represents the time an LR circuit would take to reach a steady state if the system continued to change at the initial rate of change.
    • 13.5.A.3.iii For an inductor that has zero initial current, the time constant represents the time required for the current in the inductor to reach approximately 63 percent of its final asymptotic value.
    • 13.5.A.3.iv For an inductor with an initial current, the time constant represents the time required for the current in the inductor to reach approximately 37 percent of its initial value.
  • 13.5.A.4 The electric properties of inductors change during the time interval in which the current in the inductor changes, but will exhibit steady state behavior after a long time interval.
    • 13.5.A.4.i When a switch is initially closed or opened in a circuit containing an inductor, the induced emf will be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the applied potential difference across the branch containing the inductor.
    • 13.5.A.4.ii The potential difference across an inductor, the current in the inductor, and the energy stored in the inductor are exponential with respect to time and have asymptotes that are determined by the initial conditions of the circuit.
    • 13.5.A.4.iii After a time much greater than the time constant of the circuit, an inductor will behave as a conducting wire with zero resistance.

Source: College Board AP Course and Exam Description

In an RL circuit RL电路, Kirchhoff's loop rule for a battery $\varepsilon$, resistor $R$, and inductor $L$ in series gives a differential equation 微分方程:

$$\varepsilon=IR+L\frac{dI}{dt}\quad\Rightarrow\quad I(t)=\frac{\varepsilon}{R}\big(1-e^{-t/\tau}\big),\qquad \tau=\frac{L}{R}.$$

The time constant 时间常数 $\tau$ sets the pace: after one $\tau$ a rising current reaches about $63\%$ of its final value (a decaying one falls to $37\%$); it is also how long the change would take at the initial rate. Learn the two limits – they answer most conceptual questions:

  • Just after the switch closes ($t=0$): current cannot jump, so the inductor momentarily blocks it, self-inducing an emf equal and opposite to the applied potential difference.
  • Long after ($t\gg\tau$): the current is steady, $dI/dt=0$, and the inductor behaves as a plain wire – the exact opposite of a capacitor.

The current in an RL circuit rises exponentially, reaching 63% at one time constant The current in an RL circuit rises exponentially, reaching 63% at one time constant

Worked example. $\varepsilon=12\ \text{V}$, $R=6.0\ \Omega$, $L=3.0\ \text{H}$: final current $\varepsilon/R=2.0\ \text{A}$, $\tau=L/R=0.50\ \text{s}$. At $t=0.50\ \text{s}$ the current is $2.0(1-e^{-1})\approx1.3\ \text{A}$. At $t=0$ the inductor's potential difference is the full $12\ \text{V}$; as $t\to\infty$ it falls to zero. Current, inductor voltage, and stored energy are all exponential in time.

Vocabulary Train
English Chinese Pinyin
RL circuit RL电路 RL diàn lù
differential equation 微分方程 wēi fēn fāng chéng
time constant 时间常数 shí jiān cháng shù
13.6

Circuits with Capacitors and Inductors

Syllabus
Learning ObjectiveEssential Knowledge

13.6.A
Describe the physical and electrical properties of a circuit containing a combination of capacitors and a single inductor.

  • 13.6.A.1 In circuits containing only a charged capacitor and an inductor (LC circuits), the maximum current in the inductor can be determined using conservation of energy within the circuit.
  • 13.6.A.2 In LC circuits, the time dependence of the charge stored in the capacitor can be modeled as simple harmonic motion.
    • Equation (derived): $\dfrac{d^2 q}{dt^2} = -\dfrac{1}{LC} q$
  • 13.6.A.3 The angular frequency of an oscillating LC circuit can be derived from the differential equation that describes an LC circuit.
    • Equation (derived): $\omega = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{LC}}$

Source: College Board AP Course and Exam Description

LC circuit: energy sloshes like a spring

An LC circuit LC电路 has no resistance, so nothing dissipates energy: it oscillates 振荡, sloshing energy between the capacitor's electric field and the inductor's magnetic field. The loop rule gives

$$\frac{d^2q}{dt^2}=-\frac{1}{LC}\,q,$$

the same equation as a mass on a spring – simple harmonic motion 简谐运动 with charge playing the role of displacement and

$$\omega=\frac{1}{\sqrt{LC}}.$$

The total energy $\dfrac{q^2}{2C}+\tfrac12LI^2$ stays constant: all in the capacitor at maximum charge, all in the inductor at maximum current.

Worked example. $L=2.0\ \text{H}$, $C=8.0\ \mu\text{F}$: $\omega=\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2.0(8.0\times10^{-6})}}=250\ \text{rad/s}$, period $T=2\pi/\omega\approx0.025\ \text{s}$. If the capacitor starts charged to $12\ \text{V}$, then $U=\tfrac12CV^2=5.8\times10^{-4}\ \text{J}$, and the maximum current follows from $\tfrac12LI_{\max}^2=U$: $I_{\max}=\sqrt{2U/L}=0.024\ \text{A}$conservation of energy 能量守恒, no calculus needed.

Vocabulary Train
English Chinese Pinyin
LC circuit LC电路 LC diàn lù
oscillates 振荡 zhèn dàng
simple harmonic motion 简谐运动 jiǎn xié yùn dòng
conservation of energy 能量守恒 néng liàng shǒu héng
13.6

Exam tips

  • Compute flux $\Phi_B=\int \vec B\cdot d\vec A$ and get the induced EMF from Faraday's law $\varepsilon=-\tfrac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$.
  • Use Lenz's law (the minus sign) to fix the direction: the induced current opposes the change in flux.
  • Flux changes three ways — changing $B$, changing area, or changing angle — identify which and differentiate.
  • For a rod of length $L$ moving at speed $v$, the motional EMF is $BLv$.
  • An inductor stores energy $\tfrac12 LI^2$ and resists changes in current (RL time constant $\tau=L/R$).

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