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brianll
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I am having trouble understanding how the right hand rule works with lenz's law. Please explain
How do Lenz's Law and the right hand rule work together in electromagnetism?
- Thread starter brianll
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- hand Law Lenz Lenz law Right hand rule
In summary: Therefore, it does not change and remains the same.In summary, the right hand rule and Lenz's law are useful tools for determining the direction of a force in certain situations. Lenz's law states that a current will be induced in a conductor when exposed to a changing magnetic field, and this current will act to oppose the change. The hand rule can be used to determine the direction of this force. In the example given, the magnetic flux remains constant as it is from a permanent magnet.
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Delphi51
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Welcome to PF, brian. Lenz's law is an interesting and useful shortcut for working out the direction of a force. The hand rule is the basic and longer way to work out many of these situations. There isn't much more to be said unless you are interested in a specific situation.
The classic demo for Lenz' law is dropping a strong magnet through a copper pipe. It falls s l o w l y. Lenz' law says the magnetism induces a current in the pipe which acts to oppose the motion of the magnet.
A similar apparatus has a piece of copper pipe suspended by threads so it is free to move. When you pull the magnet out, Lenz' law says the copper pipe tries to hold on to the magnet and you can see this because the magnet pulls back on the pipe and makes it move. Here is the explanation of that effect using the hand rule:
The classic demo for Lenz' law is dropping a strong magnet through a copper pipe. It falls s l o w l y. Lenz' law says the magnetism induces a current in the pipe which acts to oppose the motion of the magnet.
A similar apparatus has a piece of copper pipe suspended by threads so it is free to move. When you pull the magnet out, Lenz' law says the copper pipe tries to hold on to the magnet and you can see this because the magnet pulls back on the pipe and makes it move. Here is the explanation of that effect using the hand rule:
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brianll
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Hi Delphi. How do you figure out if the magnetic flux is increasing or decreasing?
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Delphi51
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In the example, the magnetic flux is from a permanent magnet and is constant.
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rwisz
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Lenz's Law and the right hand rule are both important concepts in the study of electromagnetism. Lenz's Law states that when a changing magnetic field passes through a conductor, it induces an electromotive force (EMF) that creates a current in the conductor. This current then creates its own magnetic field that opposes the original changing magnetic field.
The right hand rule is a method used to determine the direction of the induced current in a conductor. It states that if you point your thumb in the direction of the original magnetic field, and your fingers in the direction of the conductor's motion, then the direction of the induced current will be perpendicular to both your thumb and fingers.
To understand how the right hand rule works with Lenz's Law, let's consider an example. Imagine a bar magnet moving towards a coil of wire. As the magnet moves, it creates a changing magnetic field that passes through the coil. According to Lenz's Law, this changing magnetic field will induce an EMF in the coil, creating a current. The right hand rule can be used to determine the direction of this current.
If we point our thumb in the direction of the magnetic field (from the north pole to the south pole of the magnet), and our fingers in the direction of the coil's motion (towards the magnet), then our palm will face in the direction of the induced current. This means that the current will flow in a direction that creates a magnetic field that opposes the original changing magnetic field of the magnet. This is known as the "back EMF" and it follows Lenz's Law.
In summary, Lenz's Law explains the relationship between a changing magnetic field and the induced current in a conductor, while the right hand rule helps to determine the direction of this induced current. Together, these concepts are fundamental to understanding the behavior of electromagnetism and its applications in various fields of science and technology. I hope this explanation helps you better understand the connection between Lenz's Law and the right hand rule.
FAQ: How do Lenz's Law and the right hand rule work together in electromagnetism?
What is Lenz law?
Lenz law is a fundamental law in electromagnetism that states the direction of induced current in a conductor is always such that it opposes the change in magnetic field that caused it.
How does Lenz law relate to Faraday's law?
Lenz law is an extension of Faraday's law, which states that a changing magnetic field induces an electric field. Lenz law specifies the direction of the induced current in response to the changing magnetic field.
What is the right hand rule?
The right hand rule is a mnemonic used to determine the direction of the induced current or magnetic field in a conductor. It states that if the right hand is grasping the conductor with the thumb pointing in the direction of motion, and the fingers are curled in the direction of the magnetic field, then the palm will indicate the direction of the induced current.
How is Lenz law applied in practical situations?
Lenz law is commonly used in the design and analysis of electromagnetic devices, such as motors and generators. It helps determine the direction and strength of induced currents, which is important for optimizing the performance of these devices.
Can Lenz law be violated?
No, Lenz law is a fundamental law of nature and has been confirmed by numerous experiments. It is a consequence of the law of conservation of energy and is consistent with other laws of electromagnetism, such as Maxwell's equations.