ARUL INSTITUTE, CHENNAI
CBSE – CLASS XII – PHYSICS – CHAPTER 6
ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION – PART 3
MOTIONAL ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE
PQRS is a rectangular conductor in which the conductor PQ is free to move. The rod
PQ is moved towards the left with a constant velocity v. PQRS forms a closed circuit
enclosing an area that changes as PQ moves. It is placed in a uniform magnetic field
B which is perpendicular to the plane of this system.
If the length RQ = x & RS = L, the magnetic flux φB enclosed by the loop PQRS is
φB = BA cosθ
Here, Area of the rectangular conductor (A) = Lx
→ →
Angle between B and A (θ) = 0 o
φB = BLx cos0 o
φB = BLx
According to Law of electromagnetic induction,
d φB d(BLx ) dx
ε=– = – = –BL
dt dt dt
dx
ε = BLv Q v = −
dt
This induced emf is called motional emf.
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MOTIONAL EMF USING THE CONCEPT OF LORENTZ FORCE
Consider any arbitrary charge q in the conductor PQ. When the rod moves with
speed v, the charge will also be moving with speed v in the magnetic field B.
The magnitude of Lorentz force on this charge is Bqv.
Its direction is towards Q.
The work done in moving the charge from P to Q is,
W = Force x Displacement
W = BqvL
Since emf is the work done per unit charge,
W BqvL
ε= =
q q
ε = BLv
ARUL INSTITUTE, CHENNAI
AC GENERATOR
An AC generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Principle:
It works on the principle of electromagnetic induction, according to which an emf is
induced in a coil when it is rotated in a uniform magnetic field.
Construction:
It consists of a coil mounted on a rotor shaft. The axis of rotation of the coil is
perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field. The coil (called armature) is
mechanically rotated in the uniform magnetic field by some external means. The
rotation of the coil causes the magnetic flux through it to change, so an emf is induced
in the coil. The ends of the coil are connected to an external circuit by means of slip
rings and brushes.
ARUL INSTITUTE, CHENNAI
Working:
Whenever there is a change in the orientation of the coil, the magnetic flux linked
with the coil changes, producing an induced emf in the coil.
→ →
φB = B . A = BA cosθ = BA cosωt
→ →
where θ = ωt, is the angle between B and A .
According to law of electromagnetic induction,
d φB d(BA cos ωt )
ε=–N = –N
dt dt
d(cos ωt )
ε = – NBA
dt
ε = – NBA (–sinωt) ω
ε = NBAω sinωt
When the coil is rotated through 90 o from its initial position, sinωt = 1. Then the
maximum value of induced emf is
εo = NBAω
Therefore, the value of induced emf at any instant is then given by
ε = εo sinωt
Since the value of the sine function varies between +1 and –1, the sign or polarity of
the emf changes with time. So it is called as alternating emf.
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Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5
ωt 0o 90o 180o 270o 360o
ε = εosin0o ε = εosin90o ε = εosin180o ε = εosin270o ε = εosin360o
ε = εosinωt
ε=0 ε = εo ε=0 ε = – εo ε=0
In commercial generators, the mechanical energy required for rotation of the
armature is provided by water falling from a height, for example, from dams. These
are called hydro-electric generators. Alternatively, water is heated to produce steam
using coal or other sources. The steam at high pressure produces the rotation of the
armature. These are called thermal generators. Instead of coal, if a nuclear fuel is
used, we get nuclear power generators. Modern day generators produce electric
power as high as 500 MW, i.e., one can light up 5 million 100 W bulbs! In most
generators, the coils are held stationary and it is the electromagnets which are
rotated. The frequency of rotation is 50 Hz in India. In certain countries such as
USA, it is 60 Hz.
