ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION —
MUTUAL INDUCTANCE, SELF-
INDUCTANCE & AC GENERATOR
Full-coverage NCERT Notes (Mini-Textbook Style)
1️⃣Mutual Inductance
When current in one coil changes, magnetic flux linked with a nearby coil changes,
producing induced emf in the second coil.
This phenomenon is mutual induction.
Flux linkage due to second coil
If current I₂ flows in solenoid S₂, flux linked with S₁:
[
N_1 \Phi_1 = M_{12} I_2
]
M₁₂ → mutual inductance of S₁ with respect to S₂
Also called coefficient of mutual induction.
For long coaxial solenoids:
[
M_{12} = \mu_0 n_1 n_2 \pi r_1^2 l
]
Reverse case
Current I₁ in S₁ produces flux in S₂:
[
N_2 \Phi_2 = M_{21} I_1
]
For same geometry:
[
M_{21} = \mu_0 n_1 n_2 \pi r_1^2 l
]
Hence,
[
M_{12} = M_{21} = M
]
This equality is general, not limited to solenoids, and is useful when one flux is hard to
calculate.
Effect of medium
If medium has relative permeability μᵣ:
[
M = \mu_r \mu_0 n_1 n_2 \pi r_1^2 l
]
Mutual inductance also depends on:
Separation of coils
Relative orientation
Mutual inductance of two concentric circular coils
(for r₁ ≪ r₂):
Magnetic field at centre of large coil:
[
B_2 = \frac{\mu_0 I_2}{2 r_2}
]
Flux through small coil:
[
M = \frac{\mu_0 \pi r_1^2}{2 r_2}
]
Induced emf due to changing current
If current in coil varies with time:
[
\varepsilon_1 = - M \frac{dI_2}{dt}
]
Key idea:
Changing current in one coil → emf in neighbouring coil.
Magnitude depends on:
Rate of change of current
Mutual inductance
2️⃣Self-Inductance
When current in the same coil changes, flux linked with that coil changes → emf induced
in the same coil.
This is self-induction.
Flux linkage
[
N\Phi = L I
]
L → self-inductance (coefficient of self-induction).
Self-induced emf
[
\varepsilon = - L \frac{dI}{dt}
]
Always opposes change in current → called back emf.
Self-inductance of long solenoid
For solenoid of:
area A
length l
turns per unit length n
[
L = \mu_0 n^2 A l
]
With magnetic core (relative permeability μᵣ):
[
L = \mu_0 \mu_r n^2 A l
]
Thus L depends on:
Geometry of coil
Magnetic permeability of medium.
3️⃣Energy Stored in Magnetic Field
Work done in building current I:
[
U = \frac{1}{2} L I^2
]
Self-inductance acts like electrical inertia,
analogous to mass in mechanics.
Energy in solenoid using magnetic field B
[
U = \frac{B^2}{2\mu_0} , A l
]
Energy density of magnetic field
[
u_B = \frac{B^2}{2\mu_0}
]
Comparison with electrostatic energy density
[
u_E = \frac{1}{2} \varepsilon_0 E^2
]
Energy in both electric and magnetic fields ∝ square of field strength.
Important insight:
These relations are general.
4️⃣AC Generator
A major application of electromagnetic induction is generation of alternating current.
An AC generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Construction
Main parts:
Rotating coil (armature)
Uniform magnetic field
Slip rings and brushes for external connection
External mechanical rotation source
Axis of rotation ⟂ magnetic field.
Working principle
As coil rotates:
Angle between area vector A and magnetic field B changes.
Magnetic flux:
[
\Phi = BA \cos \omega t
]
By Faraday’s law:
[
\varepsilon = NBA \omega \sin \omega t
]
Maximum emf:
[
\varepsilon_0 = NBA \omega
]
Instantaneous emf:
[
\varepsilon = \varepsilon_0 \sin \omega t
]
Since sign changes periodically → alternating current (AC).
Frequency relation
[
\omega = 2\pi n
]
[
\varepsilon = \varepsilon_0 \sin(2\pi n t)
]
n → frequency of rotation.
Practical power generation
Mechanical rotation obtained from:
Hydroelectric plants (falling water)
Thermal plants (steam from coal, etc.)
Nuclear plants
Typical generator frequency:
India: 50 Hz
USA: 60 Hz
Modern generators can produce hundreds of MW of power.
🔚 Absolute Core Takeaways (Exam Gold)
Mutual inductance: emf in neighbouring coil due to changing current.
Self-inductance: emf in same coil opposing current change.
Back emf & energy storage:
[
U = \tfrac{1}{2} L I^2
]
Magnetic energy density:
[
\tfrac{B^2}{2\mu_0}
]
AC generator:
[
\varepsilon = \varepsilon_0 \sin \omega t
]
These are the highest-weight concepts from this section.