Electromagnetic Induction

1. Magnetic Flux
The total number of magnetic field lines passing normally through an area placed
in a magnetic field is equal to the magnetic flux linked with that area.
The magnetic flux through a surface of area A placed in a uniform
magnetic field 𝑩
⃗⃗ is defined as,
→
dA
𝜙𝐵 = 𝐵
⃗ ∙𝐴 = BAcos θ →
B

where, θ is the angle between B and A. 

If the surface is curved or field is non-uniform,

the net flux through the surface,

𝜙𝐵 = ∮ ⃗𝐵 ⋅ 𝑑𝐴
⃗
Unit and Dimension:
Magnetic flux is a scalar quantity.
Its S.I. unit is T m2 or weber (Wb).
Dimensional formula [] = [ML2T–2A–1]

2. Electromagnetic Induction:
The phenomenon in which electric current is generated by varying magnetic fields
is appropriately called electromagnetic induction.
Note: Wherever the term ‘coil or ‘loop’ is used, it is assumed that they are made
up of conducting material and are prepared using wires which are coated with
insulating material.
Electromagnetic Induction

3. Experiments of Faraday and Henry:

i. It shows that it is the relative motion

between the magnet and the coil that is
responsible for generation (induction) of
electric current in the coil.

ii. When the coil C2 is held fixed and C1 is

moved, the same effects are observed. Again,
it is the relative motion between the coils that
induces the electric current.

iii. Two coils C1 and C2 held stationary. Coil C1

is connected to galvanometer G while the second
coil C2 is connected to a battery through a tapping
key K. It is observed that the galvanometer shows
a momentary deflection when the tapping key K is
pressed. When the key is released, a momentary
deflection is observed again, but in the opposite
direction.

4. Faraday's Laws of Electromagnetic Induction

Faraday’s laws of Electromagnetic Induction states that the magnitude of the induced
emf in a circuit is equal to the time rate of change of magnetic flux through the circuit.
Mathematically, the induced emf is given by
𝑑𝜙
i.e. 𝜀=−
𝑑𝑡
The negative sign indicates the direction of ε and hence the direction of current in
a closed loop.

Note: In the case of a closely wound coil of N turns, the total induced emf is given
𝑁𝑑𝜙
by 𝜀=−
𝑑𝑡
Electromagnetic Induction

5. Induced current (i):

𝜀 1 𝑑𝜙
𝐼 = 𝑅 = − 𝑅 . 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝜙
Induced charge (q): 𝑑𝑞 = 𝐼𝑑𝑡 = − ⋅
𝑅

Induced charge is time independent.

Induced power (P):

𝜀 2 1 𝑑𝜙 2
𝑃= = ( )
𝑅 𝑅 𝑑𝑡
It depends on time and resistance.
6. The Flux linked with a coil can be changed by:
i. changing the magnetic field 𝐵
⃗.

ii. changing the shape of a coil (that is, by shrinking it or stretching it) in
a magnetic field, or
iii. rotating the coil in the magnetic field such that the angle θ between 𝐵
⃗

and 𝐴 changes (change in orientation).

Numericals:
1) A square loop of side 10 cm and resistance 0.5 Ω is placed vertically in the east-west plane. A
uniform magnetic field of 0.10 T is set up across the plane in the north-east direction. The
magnetic field is decreased to zero in 0.70 s at a steady rate. Determine the magnitudes of
induced emf and current during this time-interval.
2) A circular loop of area 5 ×10-2m2 rotates in a uniform magnetic field of 0.2 T. If the loop rotates
about its diameter which is perpendicular to the magnetic field as shown in figure. Find the
magnetic flux linked with the loop when its plane is (i) normal to the field (ii) inclined 60 o to
the field and (iii) parallel to the field.
3) A closed coil of 40 turns and of area 200 cm 2, is rotated in a magnetic field of flux density 0.5
T. It rotates from a position where its plane makes an angle of 30 o with the field to a position
perpendicular to the field in a time 0.2 sec. Find the magnitude of the emf induced in the coil
due to its rotation.

7. Lenz's Law
This law gives the direction of induced emf/induced current. According to this law ,
the direction of induced emf or current in a circuit is such as to oppose
the cause that produces it. This law is based upon law of conservation of
energy.
Electromagnetic Induction

Consider the North pole of a bar magnet moves towards the coil, thus the flux linked
with loop increases and an emf is induced in it. Since the circuit of loop is closed,
induced current also flows in it.
Now, cause of this induced current, is approach of north pole and therefore to oppose
the cause, i.e., to repel the approaching v
north pole, the induced current in loop is S N N

in such a direction so that the front face of

Observer
loop behaves as north pole. Therefore
induced current as seen by observer O is in anticlockwise direction.

8. Motional Emi in Loop by Generated Area

[If conducting rod moves on two parallel conducting rails as shown in following figure then phenomenon of induced emf can
also be understand by the concept of generated area (The area swept of conductor in magnetic field, during its motion)]

Consider a rectangular conductor PQRS 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. If the length RQ = x

and RS = l, the magnetic flux 𝜙𝐵 enclosed by
the loop PQRS will be
𝜙𝐵 = Blx
Since x is changing with time, the rate of change
of flux 𝜙𝐵 will induce an emf given by:
𝑑𝜙 𝑑
ε=− =− (𝐵v𝑥) = 𝐵v𝑙
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥
as − =v
𝑑𝑡
The induced emf Blv is called motional emf.
𝜀 𝐵v𝑙
(1) Induced current: 𝐼= =
𝑅 𝑅
(2) Magnetic force:
Electromagnetic Induction

Conductor PQ experiences a magnetic force in opposite direction of its motion and

𝐵v𝑙 𝐵2 v𝑙 2
𝐹𝑚 = 𝐵𝐼𝑙 = 𝐵 ( )𝑙 =
𝑅 𝑅

(3) Power dissipated in moving the conductor:

For uniform motion of rod PQ, the rate of doing mechanical work by external agent
𝑑𝑊
or mech. Power delivered by external source is given as 𝑃𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ = 𝑃𝑒𝑥𝑡 = =
𝑑𝑡
𝐵2 v𝑙 2 𝑩𝟐 𝐯 𝟐 𝒍𝟐
𝐹𝑒𝑥𝑡 . v = ×v=
𝑅 𝑹

(4) Electrical power:

Electrical power dissipated in resistance or rate of heat dissipation across
resistance is given as

𝐻 2
𝐵v𝑙 2 𝐵2 v2 𝑙2
𝑃𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 = =𝐼 𝑅=( ) .𝑅 =
𝑡 𝑅 𝑅

9. Periodic EMI
Suppose a rectangular coil having N turns placed initially in a  = 2

magnetic field such that magnetic field is perpendicular to its

plane as shown.
 – Angular speed
 – Frequency of rotation of coil
R – Resistance of coil R

For uniform rotational motion with , the flux linked with coil at any time t
𝜙 = 𝑁𝐵𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = 𝑁𝐵𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜔 𝑡
𝜙 = 𝜙0 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜔 𝑡 where 𝜙0 = NBA = maximum flux
(1) Induced emf in coil:
Induced emf also changes in periodic manner that is why this phenomenon called
periodic EMI
𝑑𝜙
𝜀=− = 𝑁𝐵𝐴𝜔 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔 𝑡
𝑑𝑡
 𝜀 = 𝜀0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔 𝑡 where 𝜀0 = emf amplitude or max. emf = 𝑁𝐵𝐴𝜔
(2) Induced current:
𝜀 𝜀0
At any time t, 𝐼 = = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔 𝑡 = 𝐼0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔 𝑡
𝑅 𝑅
𝜀0 𝑁𝐵𝐴𝜔 𝜙0 𝜔
where I0 = current amplitude or max. current 𝐼0 = = =
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
Electromagnetic Induction

10. Inductor:
An Inductor is a device used to store energy in a
magnetic field when an electric current flows through
it. The typical examples are coils, solenoids and toroids.

11. Inductance
Inductance is the property of inductors to generate emf due to the change in
current flowing through that circuit (Self-induction) or a change in current through
a neighbouring circuit with which it is magnetically linked (mutual induction).
Inductance is analogous to inertia in mechanics, because inductance of an
electrical circuit opposes any change of current in the circuit.

12. Flux Linkage and Inductance:

The flux through a coil is proportional to the current. That is, 𝜙𝐵 ∝ I.
For a closely wound coil of N turns, the same magnetic flux is linked with all the

turns. When the flux 𝜙𝐵 through the coil changes, each turn contributes to the

induced emf.

Therefore, a term called flux linkage is used which is equal to N𝜙𝐵 for a closely

wound coil and in such a case

N𝜙𝐵 ∝I
⟹ N𝜙𝐵 = LI
The constant of proportionality (L) in this relation, is called inductance.

Thus, Inductance is the ratio of the flux-linkage to current. It is equal to N𝜙𝐵 /I.

Salient points about Inductance:

i. Inductance is a scalar quantity.
ii. Inductance depends only on the geometry of the coil and intrinsic material
proper6ties.
iii. It has the dimensions of [ML2T–2A–2].
iv. The SI unit of inductance is henry and is denoted by H.
Electromagnetic Induction

13. Self-Induction
Whenever the electric current passing through a coil or circuit changes, the
magnetic flux linked with it will also change. As a result of this, as per Faraday’s
laws of electromagnetic induction, an emf is induced in the coil or the circuit which
opposes the change that causes it. This phenomenon is called Self-induction and
the emf induced is called back emf, current so produced in the coil is called
induced current.

Induced current Induced current

Rheostat Key Rheostat Key

(A) Main current increasing (B) Main current decreasing

(1) Coefficient of self-induction:

Let 𝜙𝐵 be the magnetic flux linked with each turn of the coil of N turns, then the
total flux linked with the coil N𝜙𝐵 (flux linkage) is proportional to the current I in
the coil.

i.e. N𝜙𝐵 ∝I
or N𝜙𝐵 = LI
𝑁𝜙
Hence 𝐿 = = coefficient of self-induction.
𝐼

(2) If I = 1A, N = 1 then, L = 

i.e. the coefficient of self-induction of a coil is equal to the flux linked with the coil
when the current in it is 1A.
𝑑𝜙
(3) By Faraday’s second law induced emf 𝜀 = −𝑁 .
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝐼
Which gives 𝜀 = −𝐿 ;
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝐼
If = 1𝐴𝑠 −1
𝑑𝑡

then ε= L.

Hence coefficient of Self-induction is equal to the emf

induced in the coil when the rate of change of current in
Electromagnetic Induction

the coil is unity.

(4) Units and dimensional formula of ‘L’:
Its S.I. unit is WbA−1 or henry (H).
Its dimensional formula [L] = [ML2T–2A–2]
(5) Dependence of self-inductance (L):
‘L’ does not depend upon current flowing or change in current flowing but it
depends upon number of turns (N), Area of cross section (A) and permeability of
medium ().
The self-inductance of a long solenoid of cross-section area A and length
l, having n turns per unit length is given by
L = 𝝁𝟎 𝒏𝟐 Al
(6) Magnetic potential energy of inductor:
In order to establish a steady current in the circuit, the source emf has to do work
against the self-inductance of coil and the energy consumed for this work stored
in magnetic field of coil. This energy called as magnetic potential energy (𝑈𝐵 ) of
coil.
Let dW be work done in moving a charge dq in a time dt against the opposition,

then, dW =−εdq =−εIdt

𝑑𝐼
Substituting for ε from equation, 𝜀 = −𝐿
𝑑𝑡
dW =−LIdI
Thus, total amount of work done in establishing the current I is
𝐼 1
𝑊 = ∫0 𝐿𝐼𝑑𝐼 = 𝐿𝐼 2
2

This work done is stored as magnetic potential energy 𝑈𝐵 .

1
𝑈𝐵 = 2 𝐿𝐼 2

14. Mutual Induction i1 i2

Variable
Whenever the current passing through a coil or current
Load
circuit changes, the magnetic flux linked with a P S
R

neighbouring coil or circuit will also change. Hence M

an emf will be induced in the neighboring coil or
circuit. This phenomenon is called ‘mutual induction’.
(1) Coefficient of mutual-induction:
Total flux linked with the secondary due to current in the primary is N2𝜙2
Electromagnetic Induction

and N 2 𝜙2  I 1

 𝑁𝟐 𝜙𝟐 = 𝑀21 𝐼𝟏
where N2 - Number of turns in secondary; 𝜙 - Flux linked with each turn of

secondary; I1 - Current flowing through primary; 𝑀21 -Coefficient of mutual

induction or mutual inductance.
(2) According to Faraday’s second law emf induces in secondary
𝑑𝜙2
𝜀2 = −𝑁2
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝐼𝟏
= −𝑀21
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝐼𝟏
(3) If = 1𝐴𝑠−1 then 𝜀 = 𝑀21 .
𝑑𝑡

Hence coefficient of mutual induction is equal to the emf induced in the

secondary coil when rate of change of current in primary coil is unity.
(4) Units and dimensional formula of M: WbA−1 or henry (H).

15. AC Generator
An electrical machine used to convert
mechanical energy into electrical energy is
known as ac generator.
(1) Principle:
It works on the principle of electromagnetic
induction.

(2) Construction:
The basic elements of an ac generator are
shown in Figure. It consists of a coil mounted on a rotor shaft. The coil (called
armature) is mechanically rotated in the uniform magnetic field by some external
means. The ends of the coil are connected to an external circuit by means of slip
rings and brushes.

(3) Working:
When the armature coil ABCD rotates in the magnetic field, it cuts the magnetic
lines of force. Thus, the magnetic flux linked with the coil changes and hence
Electromagnetic Induction

induced emf is set up in the coil. The direction of the induced emf or the
current in the coil is determined by the Fleming’s right-hand rule.
The current flows out through the brush B1 in one direction of half of the revolution
and through the brush B2 in the next half revolution in the reverse direction and
repeated. Therefore, emf produced is of alternating nature.

The flux at any time t is

𝜙𝐵 = BA cosθ = BA cosωt
From Faraday’s law, the induced emf for the rotating coil of N turns is then,
𝑁𝑑𝜙
𝜀=−
𝑑𝑡
= 𝑁𝐵𝐴𝜔 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔 𝑡
= 𝜀𝑂 sint

Where, 𝜀𝑂 = NBA