Motional Emf

Claimed --Jli639 (talk) 14:50, 5 November 2015 (EST)

Motional emf is emf caused by motion in a magnetic field, leading to polarization. It is difficult to observe visually using batteries, light bulbs, and compasses because it is so small.

The Main Idea

A metal bar moving through a magnetic field will polarize as a result of magnetic force, and the resulting charge separation, maintained by the magnetic force, is reminiscent of a battery. The polarized bar can then be used to generate an electric current in a circuit.

Additionally, as a result of the polarization, an electric field is also generated.

Polarization and Steady State

Polarization occurs due to the shift of the mobile electron sea in one direction. Eventually, the shifting will stop; enough electrons will shift in a particular direction so that the electric force, in the opposite direction, balances out the magnetic force (qvB = qE). Consequently, in the steady state, E = vB and there is no net force on the bar, so the bar does not require any additional force to keep it moving at a constant velocity.

In the steady state, a nonzero E-field exists inside the metal bar; however, if the bar is not connected in a circuit, there is no current. This is because the electric force is balanced with the magnetic force, resulting in zero net force on the mobile electrons. The potential difference across the metal bar is then the product of the electric field and the length of the bar, or vBL.

Driving Current

If the metal bar is used to form a circuit, where the bar is slid along on two frictionless metal rails that are also connected, then the charge separation in the bar mimics a battery and can drive a current.

When the bar, in the described configuration, has a force applied to it and initially begins to move from rest, the entire lattice of positive ions is pulled in the direction of the bar's velocity. The mobile electrons are left behind for a brief moment, causing a near-instantaneous polarization in the bar, but are then pulled along with the positive ions due to the electric interaction between the charges.

Now that the bar, moving within the magnetic field, has a velocity, the direction of the magnetic force can be determined through the right-hand rule. The mobile electrons will be affected by both this magnetic force and the force being applied on the bar. Eventually, over time, the net force on the bar decreases to zero, and the bar moves at a constant speed, with a balance between the force pulling the bar and the component of magnetic force on the mobile electrons in the opposite direction. A current now runs through the bar. The mobile electrons in the bar move toward the negatively charged end, rather than the positively charged end, because the continuous depletion of charge means that the electric field is always slightly less than what is needed to balance out the opposing magnetic field. Therefore, the electrons move to the negative end to maintain charge separation and the electric field.

The potential difference across the bar is still the product of the electric field and the length of the bar. If the bar does have some resistance, then it is treated like a battery with internal resistance, and the potential difference is then emf - r_int*I. In the circuit, the potential difference round-trip is zero.

Power

When the bar in the circuit, in steady state, moves a distance delta_x over a time delta_t, the work done is F*delta_x and the power supplied is F*delta_x/delta_t, or F*v_bar. If the rails in the circuit are connected by a resistor, then the power dissipated in the resistor is ILBv_bar = I*emf = (emf/R)*emf = emf^2/R = R*I^2.

This concept of power generated from a mechanical input is how electric generators function. The mechanical energy is commonly supplied by falling water at dams or expanding steam in turbines.

A Mathematical Model

What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example [math]\displaystyle{ {\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net} }[/math] where p is the momentum of the system and F is the net force from the surroundings.

A Computational Model

How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript

Examples

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History

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Motional Emf

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