Chapter 15

Electromagnetic Induction
SHORT ANSWERS

1. Does the induced e.m.f. in a circuit depend on the resistance of the circuit? Does
the induced current depend on the resistance of the circuit?
Ans:
Induced EMF
Induced e.m.f. does not depend on the resistance of the circuit but it does depend on
the rate of change of flux.
∆∅
𝜺= − ∆𝒕
Induced current
Induced current in the circuit depends on the resistance of current. It is inversely
proportional to the resistance of the circuit.
𝜺
𝑰= 𝑹
2. A square loop of wire is moving through a uniform magnetic field. The normal to
the loop is oriented parallel to the magnetic field. Is a emf induced in the loop?
Give a reason for your answer.
Ans:
Since normal to the loop is parallel to the magnetic field and coil is not moving
relative to the magnetic field, so the flux will not change as the coil moves, so the rate
of change of flux will be zero (∆∅ = 𝟎) and induced emf will be zero.
∆∅
𝜺= −𝑵 =0
∆𝒕
3. A light metallic ring is released from above into a vertical bar magnet. Viewed
from above, does the current flow clockwise or anticlockwise in the ring?
Ans: The current will be clockwise.

Reason: According to Lenz’s law the direction of induced current is

always so as to oppose the change which causes it, so to oppose the
motion towards N pole of the magnet the face of the ring towards the
magnet must become a north pole. According to right hand rule the
direction of current must be clockwise as viewed from above.
4. What is the direction of the current through resistor R in Fig.Q.15.4? When the
switch is (a) closed (b) opened.
Ans: (a) Direction of current in R is from left to right.
Reason: When switch is closed, flux starts increasing
through the secondary coil. According to Lenz’s law, the direction of induced current
is always so as to oppose the change which causes it, so to oppose this change, left
face of secondary coil becomes north pole and according to right hand rule, the
direction of current in resistor is from left to right.
 (b) Direction of current in R is from right to left.
Reason: When switch is closed, flux starts
decreasing through the secondary coil, so to oppose
the change, left face of secondary coil becomes south pole and according to right hand
rule, the direction of current in resistor is from right to left.

5. Does the induced e.m.f. always act to decrease the magnetic flux through a
circuit?
Ans: Emf is induced in the circuit to oppose the change of flux.
 When flux through the circuit is increased, induced e.m.f. acts to decrease it.
 When flux through the circuit is decreased, induced e.m.f. acts to increase the
magnetic flux.

6. When the switch in the circuit is closed a current is established in the coil and the
metal ring jumps upward (Fig.Q.15.6). Why? Describe what would happen to the
ring if the battery polarity were reversed?
Ans: Switch Closed: When switch in the circuit is closed, current through the coil
increases, and magnetic flux starts increasing through the ring. According to right
hand rule upper end of solenoid becomes south pole and to oppose the change of flux
lower end of the ring acts as south pole due to induced current in the
ring. Both poles repel as a result ring, which is moveable jumps
upward.
Polarity Reversed:
If the battery polarity is reversed then north pole is generated at
upper end coil and lower end of the ring and again both repel and
ring jumps upward again.

7. The Fig.Q.15.7 shows a coil of wire in the xy plane with a magnetic field directed
along the y- aixs. Around which of the three
coordinate axes should the coil be rotated in order to
generate an e.m.f. and a current in the coil?
Ans: To generate an e.m.f. and current in the coil, flux
through the coil must change and flux will change only if
we rotate the coil around the x-axis.
8. How would you position a flat loop of wire in a changing magnetic field so that
there is no e.m.f. induced in the loop?
Ans: If we place the loop in such a way that its plane is parallel to the changing
magnetic field at all the time, then no field lines will pass through it, hence flux will
not change through the coil, so ∆∅ = 0 and 𝜀 = 0.

9. In a certain region the earth’s magnetic field point vertically down. When a
plane flies due north, which wingtip is positively charged?
Ans: West (left wingtip is positively charged
Reason:
A plane is made up of metal which contain free electrons. When it moves
perpendicular to the magnetic field a deflecting force will act on these electrons
according to the equation.
⃗ = −𝒆 (𝒗
𝑭 ⃗ ×𝑩 ⃗⃗ )

According to right hand rule the direction of force on electrons will be from west to
east so electrons move towards right wing tip and left wing tip is left with positively
charged due to lack of electrons.
∆∅
10. Show that 𝜺 𝒂𝒏𝒅 have the same units.
∆𝒕
Ans: The unit of 𝜀 = volt
The unit of
∆∅ 𝑾𝒃
=
∆𝒕 𝒔
𝑵 𝒎 𝑨−𝟏
= , 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝟏 𝑾𝒃 = 𝑵 𝒎 𝑨−𝟏
𝒔
𝑵𝒎
=
𝑨𝒔
𝑱
= , 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝟏 𝑵 𝒎 = 𝟏 𝑱 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟏 𝑨 𝒔 = 𝟏 𝑪
𝑪
= 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒕
11. When an electric motor, such as an electric drill, is being used, does it also act as
a generator? If so what is the consequence of this?
Ans: Yes, a motor is just like a generator running in reverse.
Reason:
 When a motor works its coil rotates in magnetic field and an e.m.f. is induced in it
which is called back e.m.f. of motor, it increases with the increase in speed of the
motor. This back e.m.f. is in such a direction that it opposes the e.m.f. running the
motor.
12. Can a D.C motor be turned into a D.C generator? What changes are required to
be done?
Ans: Yes, a D.C motor can be converted into a D.C generator by following changes.
 By removing the source of emf.
 By connecting shaft to a mechanical system to rotate it.
 Electromagnet is replaced with permanent magnet.
13. Is it possible to change both the area of the loop and the magnetic field passing
through the loop and still not have an induced e.m.f. in the loop?
Ans: Yes, it is possible.
∆∅
 Since 𝜺 = − , if area and magnetic field are changed at the same time in
∆𝒕
such a way that the product BAcosϴ remains constant, then ∆∅ = 0, and no
emf is induced in the loop i.e. 𝜺 = 𝟎.
14. Can electric motor be used to drive an electric generator with the output from
the generator being used to operate the motor?
Ans: No, it is not possible since it violates law of conservation of energy.
Reason:
Suppose it is possible then output of motor will drive the generator and output of
generator will drive the motor without external energy, this violates the law of
conservation of energy.
If we initially rotate the motor by external source and then leave the system to move
without external source, the system will stop quickly. Work done by the motor on
generator is not equal to the input given to it due to loss of energy in the form of heat
and sound, same applies to generator, ultimately all the energy is lost.

15. A suspended magnet is oscillating freely in a horizontal plane. The oscillations

are strongly damped when a metal plate is placed under the magnet. Explain
why this occurs?
Ans: When a metal plate is placed under the oscillating magnet, eddy currents are
produced due to electromagnetic induction in metal plate. Suppose N pole of the
magnet is facing the plate when its moving towards the plate from left to right then
according to Lenz’s law side of plate facing the magnet will become N pole and repel
the magnet and damp its motion, when N pole moves away from this side of plate,
this side of plate becomes S pole and attract the magnet, as a result, magnet will stop
after few oscillations.
16. Four unmarked wires emerge from a transformer. What steps would you take to
determine the turn ratio?
Ans:
 Check the continuity of wires by using ohmmeter.
 Measure the secondary voltage Vs across output wires, then apply the relation
𝑵𝒔 𝑽
= 𝑽𝒔 .
𝑵𝒑 𝒑
17. a) Can a step-up transformer increase the power level?
b) In a transformer, there is no transfer of charge from the primary to the
secondary. How is, the power transferred?
Ans: a) A step-up transformer cannot increase the power level.
Reason:
Ideally for a transformer, output power is equal to the input power (Pout = Pin). So a
step-up transformer cannot increase the power level but it increases the voltage
IsVs = IpVp
b) Primary and secondary coils are connected through magnetic field not physically,
so power is transferred through electromagnetic induction.
18. When the primary of a transformer is connected to a a.c mains the current in it
a) is very small if the secondary circuit is open, but
b) increases when the secondary circuit is closed. Explain these facts.
Ans: a) Since secondary circuit is open, so no current flows in secondary.
Transformer is not loaded but a very small current flows in primary due to small
power consumption in primary coil due to its small resistance.
b) When secondary circuit is closed then transformer is loaded and power is
transferred from primary to secondary. Since IsVs = IpVp and Is is now larger so to
transfer the power Ip also becomes larger.