The Generator Effect

• Generator effect


  The induction of a potential difference (and current if there's a complete circuit) in a wire which is experiencing a change in magnetic field
• Generator effect


  1. Induces a potential difference in a conductor

  2. Induces a current if the conductor is part of a complete circuit
• Inducing a potential difference

  1. Move a magnet in a coil of wire

  2. Move a conductor (wire) in a magnetic field ("cutting" magnetic field lines)
• Shifting the magnet from side to side

  Creates a little "blip" of current in the conductor if it's part of a complete circuit
• Moving the magnet (or conductor) in the opposite direction


  Reverses the potential difference/current
• Reversing the polarity of the magnet


  Reverses the potential difference/current
• Keeping the magnet (or the coil) moving backwards and forwards

  Produces a potential difference that keeps swapping direction, which produces an alternating current
• Turning a magnet end to end in a coil, or turning a coil inside a magnetic field


  Changes the magnetic field through the coil, which induces a potential difference that can make a current flow in the wire
• Every time the magnet moves through half a turn


  The direction of the magnetic field through the coil reverses, so the potential difference reverses and the current flows in the opposite direction
• Keeping the magnet turning in the same direction


  The potential difference will keep on reversing every half turn, producing an alternating current
• The magnetic field created by an induced current always acts against the change that made it
• The induced current always opposes the change that made it
• Increasing the size of the induced potential difference

  1. Increase the speed of the movement (cut more magnetic field lines in a given time)

  2. Increase the strength of the magnetic field (more field lines that can be cut)