Grade 12 · Physics
Induction
Why it matters
Generating current.
Advanced20m readingPrerequisite: Magnetic fields
What is electromagnetic induction?
Short answer
Electromagnetic induction is the production of a voltage across a conductor when the magnetic field through it changes. Faraday’s law states that the induced EMF is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux; Lenz’s law says the induced current opposes that change. Induction is the principle behind electric generators and transformers.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Lenz’s law state?
- The induced current flows in the direction that opposes the change in magnetic flux that produced it — a consequence of energy conservation.
- What is magnetic flux?
- A measure of the magnetic field passing through a given area; a change in flux is what induces a voltage.