Find the emf induced in a metal ring rotating in a magnetic field

In summary, the emf induced in the ring as a function of time is proportional to the area of the loop through which the magnetic field acts.
  • #1
im_stupid
2
0
First off, sorry if this is a simple question, I'm very bad at electromagnetism.

Homework Statement


A metal ring of radius R rotates with constant angular velocity ω about a diameter. Perpendicular to the rotation axis is a constant magnetic induction field [itex]\underline{B}[/itex]. Find the EMF induced in the ring as a function of time.

Homework Equations


[itex]\omega=d\phi/dt[/itex] (1)
[itex]\Phi=\int\underline{B}.\underline{dA}[/itex] (2)
[itex]emf=-d\Phi/dt[/itex] (3)


The Attempt at a Solution


The area, through with the magnetic field acts, changes with time. Find an expression for dA/dt:
[itex]dA=rdrd\theta[/itex] (4)
in polar coordinates, θ is the angle between ω and r.

The the r coordinate of the area, through with the magnetic field acts, changes with time.
[itex]r=Rcos\omega t[/itex]
[itex]dr/d\phi=-Rsin\omega t[/itex]
[itex] dr/dt=(dr/d\phi)(d\phi/dt)=-R\omega sin\omega t[/itex]

∴ inserting into (4)
[itex]dA/dt = -\pi R^{2}\omega^{2}cos\omega tsin\omega t[/itex]

So the emf would be
[itex] emf=-d\Phi/dt=BdA/dt=B\pi R^{2}\omega^{2}cos\omega tsin\omega t[/itex]

Am I along the right lines? Or am I over complicating things?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Hi im_stupid,

Welcome to Physics Forums!
im_stupid said:
First off, sorry if this is a simple question, I'm very bad at electromagnetism.

Homework Statement


A metal ring of radius R rotates with constant angular velocity ω about a diameter. Perpendicular to the rotation axis is a constant magnetic induction field [itex]\underline{B}[/itex]. Find the EMF induced in the ring as a function of time.

Homework Equations


[itex]\omega=d\phi/dt[/itex] (1)
[itex]\Phi=\int\underline{B}.\underline{dA}[/itex] (2)
[itex]emf=-d\Phi/dt[/itex] (3)

The Attempt at a Solution


The area, through with the magnetic field acts, changes with time. Find an expression for dA/dt:
[itex]dA=rdrd\theta[/itex] (4)
in polar coordinates, θ is the angle between ω and r.

The the r coordinate of the area, through with the magnetic field acts, changes with time.
[itex]r=Rcos\omega t[/itex]
[itex]dr/d\phi=-Rsin\omega t[/itex]
[itex] dr/dt=(dr/d\phi)(d\phi/dt)=-R\omega sin\omega t[/itex]

∴ inserting into (4)
[itex]dA/dt = -\pi R^{2}\omega^{2}cos\omega tsin\omega t[/itex]

So the emf would be
[itex] emf=-d\Phi/dt=BdA/dt=B\pi R^{2}\omega^{2}cos\omega tsin\omega t[/itex]

Am I along the right lines? Or am I over complicating things?
Me thinks you're over-complicating things -- well, regarding the area anyway.

Consider that at t = 0, the axis of the loop is parallel to the magnetic field [itex] \vec B [/itex]. (I.e. the plane of the loop is perpendicular to the direction of the field.) And let's call the area of the loop A.

The flux at this point is simply [itex] \Phi_{t=0} = AB. [/itex]

When the loop rotates around in a circle (along the axis of a diameter), the amount of flux fluctuates too sinusoidally, [itex] \Phi \left( t \right) = AB \cos \omega t. [/itex]
(Or more generally we can write [itex] \Phi \left( t \right) = AB \cos \left( \omega t + \phi_0 \right), [/itex] if the starting position was an arbitrary angle [itex] \phi_0. [/itex])

You might object, saying, "but when the loop spins around 180o, the area is at maximum again with respect to the field." But not really. when the loop has turned around 180o, the area is now in the opposite direction it was with respect to the magnetic field, and the emf has done a corresponding reversal with respect to the loop's frame of reference. The emf is now negative.

--------------------

Still not convinced?

Okay, here is a little more analytical approach. Let's treat both the magnitic field and the area as vectors. Consider the magnetic field [itex] \vec B [/itex] points along the x-axis.
[tex] \vec B = B \hat \imath, [/tex]
and it's a constant so it doesn't change with time.

Now consider the loop, with area A (I'll let you calculate the area of a circle with radius R) rotates along the z-axis. The direction of the area vector is the same direction as the normal vector -- a vector perpendicular to the surface plane. And this vector is rotating in a circle. (Its direction is time varying.)
[tex] \vec A = A \cos \left( \omega t + \phi_0 \right) \hat \imath + A \sin \left( \omega t + \phi_0 \right) \hat \jmath [/tex]
Now just take the dot product of those two vectors. Note that the dot product is a time varying scalar.
[tex] \Phi \left( t \right) = \vec B \cdot \vec A [/tex]
Good luck! :smile: (You should be able to take it from here. :wink:)
 
Last edited:
  • #3
Thanks very much, that was the jump in logic that I needed.
 

FAQ: Find the emf induced in a metal ring rotating in a magnetic field

1. What is electromagnetic induction?

Electromagnetic induction is the process in which a changing magnetic field induces an electric current in a conductor. This phenomenon is described by Faraday's Law of Induction.

2. How is emf induced in a metal ring rotating in a magnetic field?

When a metal ring rotates in a magnetic field, the changing magnetic flux through the ring causes an induced electric current to flow. This current creates an electromagnetic force (emf) that opposes the change in magnetic flux.

3. What factors affect the magnitude of the induced emf?

The magnitude of the induced emf depends on the strength of the magnetic field, the rate of change of the magnetic flux, and the size and shape of the metal ring. The orientation of the ring in relation to the magnetic field also plays a role.

4. Can the direction of the induced emf be determined?

Yes, the direction of the induced emf can be determined using Lenz's Law, which states that the direction of the induced current will be such that it opposes the change in magnetic flux that caused it.

5. What are some real-world applications of electromagnetic induction?

Electromagnetic induction has many practical applications, such as in generators for producing electricity, transformers for changing the voltage of AC currents, and electric motors for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. It is also used in devices like magnetic card readers and induction cooktops.

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
455
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
14
Views
639
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
963
Back
Top