When a bar magnet is dropped through a copper ring, several physics principles come into play, primarily electromagnetic induction and Lenz’s Law. Here’s the reasoning step-by-step:
Changing Magnetic Flux: As the magnet falls through the ring, the magnetic flux through the ring changes because the magnetic field strength varies with distance from the magnet.
Induced Current: According to Faraday’s Law of Induction, this changing flux induces an electromotive force (emf) in the copper ring, which in turn drives an induced current in the ring.
Lenz’s Law: The direction of the induced current is such that it opposes the change in magnetic flux that produced it. This means the induced current creates its own magnetic field that opposes the motion of the falling magnet.
Effect on the Magnet’s Motion: The opposing magnetic field exerts an upward force on the falling magnet, resisting its downward motion due to gravity. As a result, the net acceleration of the magnet is less than the acceleration due to gravity ( g).
When a bar magnet is dropped through a copper ring, several physics principles come into play, primarily electromagnetic induction and Lenz’s Law. Here’s the reasoning step-by-step:
Changing Magnetic Flux: As the magnet falls through the ring, the magnetic flux through the ring changes because the magnetic field strength varies with distance from the magnet.
Induced Current: According to Faraday’s Law of Induction, this changing flux induces an electromotive force (emf) in the copper ring, which in turn drives an induced current in the ring.
Lenz’s Law: The direction of the induced current is such that it opposes the change in magnetic flux that produced it. This means the induced current creates its own magnetic field that opposes the motion of the falling magnet.
Effect on the Magnet’s Motion: The opposing magnetic field exerts an upward force on the falling magnet, resisting its downward motion due to gravity. As a result, the net acceleration of the magnet is less than the acceleration due to gravity ( g).