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March 20, 2026, 01:33:02 am

Author Topic: Lenz's Law  (Read 2551 times)  Share 

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Comma

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Lenz's Law
« on: July 31, 2011, 05:34:51 pm »
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Ok, so I was just wondering, if the south pole of a magnet is being moved towards a coil, is that an increase or decrease in flux? i.e. what direction is the change in flux?
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Vincezor

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Re: Lenz's Law
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2011, 08:24:20 pm »
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I too find Lenz's law somewhat confusing haha.

If I remember correctly, moving the south pole of a magnet into a coil "decreases" the number of magnetic field lines going through the coil, hence a decrease in flux.

Below is a picture that sorta explains it (sorry about my horrible hand writing and drawing)




I personally find anything to do with the south pole of the magnet in relation to the coil rather confusing, however I understand when it is just the north pole and coil.

As you can see, number 1 and number 3 have the same induced current direction.

Also, number 2 and number 3 have the same induced current direction.

Scenario 1
North pole of magnet moving into coil.

Number of magnetic fields in the coil increase (flux increases) from 2 -> 4 (To the right). Thus using a variant of the RHGR you can see that the opposing flux will counteract this change by reducing the flux in coil (Lets say, 2 field lines to the left). As a result the induced current will be anti clockwise when looking from the viewpoint of "1".

Scenario 2
North pole of magnet moving out of coil.

The amount of flux decreases from 4 -> 2 (To the right). Thus using the RHGR you will realise that the current induced will be in the opposite direction to that of scenario one, as flux need to be "added" to oppose the change.

Scenario 3
South pole of magnet moving into coil

The amount of flux decreases from 4 -> 2 (To the right). The explanation would be the same as scenario 2.

Scenario 4
South pole of magnet moving out of coil

Flux decreases from 2 -> 4 (To the right). It would be the same explanation as scenario 1.


Sorry if I didn't explain things properly, as it's pretty hard to explain it just solely using words - It would be much easier to explain it like my teacher did, with a coil and his hand :P

« Last Edit: July 31, 2011, 08:34:39 pm by Vincezor »
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Comma

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Re: Lenz's Law
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2011, 07:22:52 pm »
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Ah ok - so it's essentially the opposite of moving the north pole of a magnet towards a coil... Thanks!
2010: Studio Arts [40]
2011: English [41], Methods [35], Specialist [24], Physics [40], Further [41]

ATAR: 94.15

NYSF (Sesh C) 2011