The Generator Effect

• What is the generator effect?

  The induction of a potential difference in a wire which is moving relative to a magnetic field, or experiencing a change in magnetic field
• What does the generator effect do?

  Creates a potential difference in a conductor, and a current if the conductor is part of a complete circuit
• How can the generator effect be accomplished?

  • moving a magnet in a coil of wire or moving a conductor in a magnetic field
  • shifting the magnet from side to side creates a little 'blip' of current if the conductor is part of a complete circuit
  • if you move the magnet in the opposite direction, then the potential difference/current will be reversed. Likewise if the polarity of the magnet is reversed, then the potential difference/current will be reversed too.
  • if you keep the magnet moving backwards and forwards, you produce a potential difference that keeps swapping direction - an alternating current
• Induced Current opposes the charge that made it

  • Magnetic field created by an induced current always acts against the change that made it.
  • This means that the induced current always opposes the change that made it
• How can you increase the size of the induced potential difference?

  • increasing the speed of the movement
  • increasing the strength of the magnetic field