18 Electromagnetic Induction

16 July

Braking of a Magnetic Pendulum with Copper Plate

Seng Kwang Tan 18 Electromagnetic Induction, Demonstrations 0 Comments

In this video, we will observe how induced eddy currents in a copper plate slow down a magnetic pendulum. 

When the pendulum is set in motion, it usually oscillates for quite a while. This pendulum consists of a strong magnet.

If we slide a copper plate underneath the magnet while it is in motion, the magnet comes to a stop quickly. Note that copper is not a ferromagnetic material, which means it does not get attracted to a stationary magnet.

As the magnet moves across an area on the copper plate, the change in magnetic flux induces eddy currents on the plate. These eddy currents flow in such a way as to repel the magnet as it approaches the plate and attracts the magnet as it leaves the plate, therefore slowing the magnetic pendulum.

Eddy currents repels the magnet as it approaches
Eddy currents attracts the magnet as it leaves

When we pull the copper sheet out from under a stationary magnetic pendulum, the eddy currents will flow in such a way that it becomes attracted to the copper sheet.

Moving the copper sheet to and fro at a certain frequency (the pendulum’s natural frequency), the magnetic pendulum can be made to oscillate again.

26 February

Simulation: Faraday’s Law of Induction

Seng Kwang Tan 18 Electromagnetic Induction, Simulations 1 Comment

This simulation traces the flux linkage and corresponding emf generated by a rectangular coil rotating along an axis perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field. One is able to modify the angular frequency to see the effect on the frequency and peak emf generated.

Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction

https://ejss.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/faradayslaw_Simulation.xhtml

01 September

Newton’s Nightmare

Seng Kwang Tan 18 Electromagnetic Induction, Demonstrations, IP4 16 Electromagnetic Induction 0 Comments

This demonstration is called Newton’s nightmare because it involves the slow dropping of a magnet that seems to be inconsitent with gravitational acceleration.

Using the “CFILE” structure, we can explain how the magnet moves much slower in a metal pipe than when it is undergoing free fall (as in the PVC pipe, which serves as a control).

Now, the metal that we use cannot be ferromagnetic, or the magnet will not even drop at all. It will simply be attracted to the pipe and stick to it.

However, if another metal such as copper or aluminum is used, as the magnet moves through the pipe, different sections of the pipe will experience either a change (either decreasing or increasing) in magnetic flux. Sections of the pipe that the magnet has just gone through suffers a decreasing flux while those that the magnet are approaching gains magnetic flux.

By Faraday’s law, which states that an induced emf is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux linkage, emf and hence, current is induced within the pipes. These induced currents are called eddy currents.

By Lenz’s law, the induced currents tend to flow in a way so as to oppose the change causing it. The current in the sections of the pipe that the magnet is leaving will trying to attract the magnet while those that the magnet is approaching will try to repel the magnet.

The effect is that the magnet experiences a retarding magnetic force that acts against gravitational force, hence decreasing its downward acceleration.