How is potential induced in a conductor?

Potential is induced in a conductor by changing magnetic fields or by moving the conductor through a magnetic field.

When a conductor, such as a wire, is exposed to a changing magnetic field, an electric current is generated within the conductor. This phenomenon is known as electromagnetic induction. The principle behind this is Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction, which states that a change in magnetic flux through a circuit induces an electromotive force (EMF) in the conductor. Magnetic flux is the measure of the amount of magnetic field passing through a given area.

There are two main ways to induce potential in a conductor. The first method involves changing the magnetic field around a stationary conductor. For example, if you have a coil of wire and you move a magnet towards or away from it, the magnetic field through the coil changes, inducing a current in the wire. This is because the movement of the magnet alters the magnetic flux through the coil, generating an EMF.

The second method involves moving the conductor through a stationary magnetic field. Imagine a wire moving through the magnetic field between the poles of a magnet. As the wire cuts through the magnetic field lines, an EMF is induced in the wire. This is because the motion of the wire changes the amount of magnetic flux it experiences, leading to the generation of a current.

In both cases, the induced potential depends on factors such as the speed of movement, the strength of the magnetic field, and the number of turns in the coil (if a coil is used). The direction of the induced current can be determined using Fleming's Right-Hand Rule, which helps predict the direction of current flow based on the direction of the magnetic field and the motion of the conductor.