Q.A rectangular frame of wire is placed in a uniform magnetic field directed outwards, normal to the paper. AB is connected to a spring which is stretched to A′B′ and then released at time t=0. Explain qualitatively how induced e.m.f. in the coil would vary with time. (Neglect damping of oscillations of spring)
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Motional Emf
Motional Emf
When a conductor moves through a magnetic field, the free charges inside it experience a magnetic force. This force pushes the charges along the conductor, setting up a potential difference across its ends — a motional emf. It is electromagnetic induction viewed from a moving conductor rather than from a changing field.
Origin: the Lorentz force
Consider a straight rod of length l moving with velocity v perpendicular to a uniform field B. Each free charge q feels a force
F=q(v×B)
of magnitude qvB directed along the rod. Charges pile up at the ends until the electric field they create balances the magnetic force. The resulting potential difference — the motional emf — is
ε=Bvl
Consistency with Faraday's law
Let the rod of length l slide along parallel conducting rails, sweeping out a distance x. The enclosed area is A=lx, so the flux is Φ=Blx. Then
ε=−dtdΦ=−Bldtdx=−Blv
The magnitude Bvl matches the Lorentz-force result, showing that the flux rule and the force picture agree.
Worked example
A rod of length 0.4m moves at 5m/s perpendicular to a field of 0.5T:
ε=Bvl=0.5×5×0.4=1V
If the circuit resistance is 2Ω, the induced current is I=ε/R=0.5A.
Force and energy …
Why this formula?
Motional EMF: Why the Formula Holds
Let's build this from first principles — understanding the why before the formula.
The Core Idea
Motional EMF arises when a conductor moves through a magnetic field. The key insight: moving charges in a magnetic field experience a magnetic force, which acts like a battery pushing charges around the conductor.
Step 1: The Force on a Moving Charge
A charge q moving with velocity v in a magnetic field B feels the Lorentz magnetic force:
Fm=q(v×B)
This force is perpendicular to both velocity and magnetic field.
Step 2: What Happens Inside a Moving Conductor
Consider a straight metal rod of length L moving with constant velocity v perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field B (pointing into the page).
- Free electrons in the rod are moving with the rod at velocity v.
- Each electron experiences a magnetic force:
Fm=−e(v×B)
(negative sign because electron charge is −e)
- This force pushes electrons along the rod — say, toward one end.
Step 3: Charge Separation Creates an Electric Field
As electrons accumulate at one end, that end becomes negatively charged, leaving the other end positively charged.
- This charge separation creates an internal electric field E inside the rod, pointing from positive to negative end.
- The electric field exerts an opposing force on the electrons:
Fe=−eE
Step 4: Equilibrium — The "Battery" is Formed
Charge keeps moving until the electric force balances the magnetic force:
Fe+Fm=0
−eE−e(v×B)=0
E=−(v×B)
Magnitude-wise (for perpendicular v and B):
E=vB
Step 5: From Electric Field to EMF
The motional EMF E is the work done per unit charge to move a test charge from one end to the other:
E=∫negativepositiveE⋅dl
For a uniform field along the rod of length L:
E=E⋅L=vBL
The Key Formula
Motional EMF for a straight conductor moving perpendicular to B:
E=BLv
Why This Makes Physical Sense
| Quantity | Role |
|---|---|
| B | Stronger magnetic field → larger force on charges |
| L | Longer conductor → more charge separation possible |
When released, side AB executes simple harmonic motion, so its displacement (and hence the enclosed area and flux) varies sinusoidally; the induced emf, being −dΦ/dt, is also sinusoidal but 90∘ out of phase with the displacement. …
AB oscillates in SHM ⇒ flux Φ∝cosωt ⇒ emf =−dΦ/dt∝sinωt: an undamped sinusoidal emf.
Concept. As the spring-loaded side AB slides in SHM, the area of the frame inside the field changes, changing the magnetic flux linked with the coil. A changing flux induces an emf (Faraday's law).
Why sinusoidal. Take the SHM displacement of AB as x(t)=x0cosωt. If L is the length of AB and B the field, the enclosed area is A(t)=A0+Lx(t), so
Φ(t)=BA(t)=BA0+BLx0cosωt.
The induced emf is
ε=−dtdΦ=BLx0ωsinωt.
…
Showing the 12 most recent of 15 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.A loop moves towards a stationary magnet at constant speed V resulting an induced emf E within the loop. If the magnet also moves away from the loop at the same speed V, the new induced emf in the loop is (A) E (B) 2E (C) 2E (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
With loop and magnet moving in the same direction at the same speed, their separation never changes, the flux is constant, and the induced emf is zero — option (D).
Concept and Intuition
Faraday's law says ε=−dtdϕ: an emf appears only when the flux through the loop changes. The flux from a bar magnet through a loop depends on how far the magnet is from the loop — that is, on their separation, not on either object's velocity in the laboratory.
This is why electromagnetic induction is a purely relative phenomenon: moving the magnet towards a stationary loop, or the loop towards a stationary magnet, at the same speed produces the same emf. Conversely, if both move so that the gap between them stays fixed, nothing changes for the loop — no flux change, no emf, no induced current.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Initially: loop approaches the stationary magnet at V, so the separation shrinks at rate V, and dtdϕ is whatever gives the emf E.
- Now: the loop still moves towards the magnet at V, while the magnet retreats from the loop at V (same direction of motion).
- Relative velocity of loop with respect to magnet:
Vrel=V−V=0.
- The separation is therefore constant, so the flux linked with the loop is constant in time: dtdϕ=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.A conducting square loop of side L moves with a uniform speed V in a region of uniform magnetic field acting perpendicular to the plane of the loop and directed into it as shown in figure. The emf induced in the loop is [FIGURE] (a square conducting loop of side L moves with velocity V to the right, fully inside a region of uniform magnetic field B directed into the page, shown by rows of x symbols) (A) BLV (B) 2BLV (C) zero (D) 2BLV
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that motional emf requires a change in magnetic flux through the loop. Since the entire loop moves within a uniform field, the flux remains constant, so the induced emf is zero. The correct option is (C).
Concept and Intuition: Motional Emf
When a conductor moves through a magnetic field, charges inside experience a magnetic force q(v×B), which can drive a current if there is a complete circuit. This is the origin of motional emf. However, the emf induced in a closed loop is given by Faraday’s law:
E=−dtdΦB
where ΦB is the magnetic flux through the loop. The crucial point: only a change in flux produces an emf. If the loop moves entirely inside a uniform field, the number of field lines passing through it stays the same — no change, no emf. Many students mistakenly think that motion alone guarantees an emf, but that’s only true if the loop is entering or leaving the field, or if the field itself varies.
Let’s work through the reasoning step by step.
-
Define the situation
The loop is a square of side L, moving with constant velocity V to the right. The magnetic field B is uniform, directed into the page (shown by ‘x’ symbols), and extends over the entire region shown — there is no boundary where the field ends within the diagram. The loop is completely inside this uniform field at all times.
-
Calculate the magnetic flux through the loop
Magnetic flux is given by
ΦB=∫B⋅dA
Since B is uniform and perpendicular to the plane of the loop (into the page), and the loop’s area is L2, the flux simplifies to
ΦB=B⋅(area)=BL2
The direction (sign) is constant, so we can treat it as a positive number.
- Does the flux change as the loop moves? The loop moves to the right, but the field is uniform everywhere. The area L2 does not change, and B does not change. Therefore,
dtdΦB=0
No matter how fast or how far the loop moves, as long as it stays entirely within the uniform field, the flux remains constant.
- Apply Faraday’s law
E=−dtdΦB=0
Hence, the induced emf in the loop is zero. …
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- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.A horizontal telegraph wire of length 30 m spread east to west fell down freely from a height of 20 m. If the resistance of the wire is 40 Ω and the horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field at the place is 2×10−5 T, then the induced current when the wire reaches the ground is (Acceleration due to gravity =10 ms−2) (A) 0.3 mA (B) 3 mA (C) 3 A (D) 0.03 A
›Reveal solutionSolution
Motional EMF is induced in the falling east-west wire by the earth's horizontal magnetic field component; combined with Ohm's law this gives a current of 0.3 mA.
Concept and Intuition
As the horizontal wire (oriented east-west) falls freely, it moves vertically through the earth's horizontal magnetic field component BH, which is perpendicular to both the wire's length and its velocity. This generates a motional EMF ε=BHLv, where v is the wire's instantaneous speed. This EMF drives a current through the wire's own resistance (treating it as a simple closed-loop equivalent circuit as is conventional for this classic problem).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Find the speed at the ground using free fall: v=2gh=2×10×20=400=20 m/s. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.A metallic disc of radius 0.3 m is rotating with a constant angular speed of 60 rads−1 in a plane perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field of 5×10−2 T. The emf induced between a point on the rim and centre of the disc is (A) 0.06 V (B) 0.612 V (C) 1.35 V (D) 0.135 V
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the motional-emf formula for a rotating conducting disc in a magnetic field. Using ε=21BωR2 gives ε=0.135 V.
Concept and Intuition
Every radial element of the spinning disc is itself a tiny "rod" moving through the magnetic field with a speed that increases linearly from zero at the centre to ωR at the rim. Each element contributes a motional emf dε=Bvdr=B(ωr)dr, and integrating these contributions from the centre to the rim gives the total emf between those two points — analogous to a rotating conducting rod (the Faraday disc / homopolar generator).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Consider a thin element at radius r, thickness dr, moving with speed v=ωr.
- Motional emf of this element: dε=Bvdr=Bωrdr.
- Integrate from r=0 to r=R: ε=∫0RBωrdr=21BωR2 …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If a wheel with 24 metallic spokes each 40 cm long is rotated with a speed of 180 rev/min in a plane normal to the horizontal component of earth's magnetic field, the emf induced between the axle and the rim of the wheel is E. If the number of spokes is made 12 and the wheel is rotated with a speed of 90 rev/min in the same field, the induced emf is (A) E (B) 2E (C) 4E (D) 0.5E
›Reveal solutionSolution
All spokes of the wheel are in parallel between the same two terminals (axle and rim), so the induced emf depends only on B, ω, and spoke length L — not on the number of spokes. Halving ω (spoke length unchanged) halves the emf.
Concept and Intuition
Each metallic spoke is a conducting rod rotating about one end (the axle) in a magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of rotation. A rotating rod of length L with angular velocity ω generates an emf ε=21BωL2 between its two ends, exactly like a rod sweeping out area. Since every spoke reaches from the same axle to the same rim, all the spokes are connected between the same pair of nodes — they are in parallel, not in series. A parallel combination of identical emf sources (each with the same emf and internal resistance) still delivers that same single-spoke emf between the two terminals; adding more spokes in parallel does not add up the emfs.
Step-by-Step Solution
- EMF of a single rotating spoke: ε=21BωL2.
- Since all spokes connect the same axle to the same rim, they act as parallel identical sources; the net emf between axle and rim equals that of one spoke: E=21Bω1L2, independent of the spoke count (24 originally).
- In the new situation, the number of spokes changes to 12 — irrelevant to the emf, since spokes are in parallel regardless of count. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-17-FN1 markMCQQ.A helicopter has metallic blades with length 4 m extending outward from the central point and rotating at 3 revs−1. If the vertical component of earth's magnetic field is 40 μT, then the emf induced between the blade tip and the central point is (A) 3.14 mV (B) 2.83 mV (C) 16 mV (D) 6 mV
›Reveal solutionSolution
A rotating rod in a perpendicular magnetic field generates an EMF ε=21BωL2 between its centre and tip; substituting the given values gives about 6 mV. Answer: (D) 6 mV.
Concept and Intuition
Each helicopter blade is a straight conductor rotating about one end (the hub) in the (locally uniform) vertical component of Earth's magnetic field. Every small element of the rotating rod experiences a motional EMF dε=Bvdr=B(ωr)dr, and integrating from the hub (r=0) to the tip (r=L) gives the classic result ε=21BωL2 — the same formula used for a conducting rod/disc rotating in a magnetic field (e.g. the Faraday disc).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Angular speed: ω=2πf=2π(3)=6π≈18.85 rad/s.
- Blade length L=4 m, field B=40 μT=40×10−6 T.
- EMF for a rod rotating about one end: ε=21BωL2.
- Substitute: ε=21(40×10−6)(18.85)(16). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.A metallic wire loop of side (l) 0.1 m and resistance of 1Ω is moved with a constant velocity in a uniform magnetic field of 2 Wm−2 as shown in the figure. The magnetic field is perpendicular to the plane of the loop. The loop is connected to a network of resistors. The velocity of loop so as to have a steady current of 1 mA in loop is [FIGURE] (a square wire loop of side l is shown moving with velocity v to the right through a region of magnetic field directed into the page (marked with x symbols); the loop's two terminals P (top) and Q (bottom) connect via wires to a network of five 3Ω resistors arranged in a diamond/bridge pattern -- two 3Ω resistors forming the upper branches, two 3Ω resistors forming the lower branches, and one 3Ω resistor as the central bridging element) (A) 0.67 cms−1 (B) 2 cms−1 (C) 3 cms−1 (D) 4 cms−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The motional emf of a sliding loop drives current through a balanced Wheatstone-bridge network of five equal resistors; recognizing the balance simplifies the network to 3Ω, and setting the resulting current to 1 mA gives the required velocity.
Concept and Intuition
A conducting loop moving with velocity v through a uniform field B perpendicular to its plane acts as a source of motional emf ε=Bvl (only the leading/trailing side cutting field lines matters for a simple translating loop of width l). This emf drives current through the loop's own resistance in series with whatever external network is connected across its terminals P and Q. Here that external network is a Wheatstone bridge of five identical 3Ω resistors — since all four arms are equal (3:3::3:3), the bridge is balanced, meaning the two "middle" nodes sit at the same potential and the fifth (bridging) resistor carries no current at all. It can therefore be deleted without changing the network's behaviour.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Balanced-bridge simplification: with the bridge resistor removed, the network becomes two series pairs of 3Ω+3Ω=6Ω each, connected in parallel between P and Q: Rext=6∥6=3Ω.
- Total resistance in the circuit (loop's own resistance in series with the external network, as the loop is the emf source): Rtotal=Rloop+Rext=1+3=4Ω. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.In an ac generator, if coil of N turns and area A is rotated at υ revolutions per second in a uniform magnetic field B, then the motional emf produced is equal to (At t=0 s, the coil is perpendicular to the field) (A) NBA(2πυ)sin(2πυt) (B) NBA2(2πυ)sin(2πυt) (C) N2B2A2(2πυ)sin(2πυt) (D) NBA(4πυ)sin(2πυt)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Faraday's law applied to a rotating coil gives the standard AC-generator EMF e=NBAωsin(ωt) with ω=2πυ, matching option (A).
Concept and Intuition
An AC generator works by rotating a coil in a uniform magnetic field, continuously changing the flux linkage through it and thereby inducing an EMF (Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction). If the coil starts perpendicular to B at t=0 (flux maximum at t=0), the flux varies as a cosine and the EMF — being −dΦ/dt — comes out as a sine function, peaking a quarter-cycle later.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Flux through the coil at angle θ=ωt from the perpendicular position: Φ(t)=NBAcos(ωt), where ω=2πυ (υ = revolutions per second).
- Induced EMF: e=−dtdΦ=−NBA×(−ωsinωt)=NBAωsin(ωt).
- Substitute ω=2πυ: e=NBA(2πυ)sin(2πυt). …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-AN1 markMCQQ.An ac generator converts (A) electrical energy into mechanical energy. (B) electrical energy into magnetic energy. (C) mechanical energy into magnetic energy. (D) mechanical energy into electrical energy.
›Reveal solutionSolution
An AC generator uses electromagnetic induction to turn mechanical rotation into electrical energy.
Concept and Intuition
A generator works on Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction: mechanically rotating a coil within a magnetic field (or a magnet within a coil) changes the magnetic flux through the coil, inducing an EMF. This is the exact reverse of a motor, which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Step-by-Step Solution
- In an AC generator, an external mechanical agent (e.g. a turbine, hand-crank, or engine) does work to rotate the coil/armature.
- As the coil rotates in the magnetic field, the flux linkage changes with time, inducing an EMF (Faraday's law). …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set ap-2022-07-12-AN1 markMCQQ.A wire of length 20 cm is moving with a velocity of 180 m min−1 perpendicular to a magnetic field. If the induced emf in the wire is 3 V, the magnitude of the field in tesla is (A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 5 (D) 10
›Reveal solutionSolution
A straight conductor moving perpendicular to a magnetic field develops a motional emf ε=BLv; solve for B given the other three quantities.
Concept and Intuition
When a conducting rod of length L moves with speed v perpendicular to a magnetic field B, the free charges in the rod experience a magnetic force that separates charge until an equilibrium (motional) emf develops: ε=BLv.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Convert velocity: v=180 m/min=60180=3 m/s.
- Length: L=0.2 m. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.An electric generator is based on _________ (A) Faraday's laws of electromagnetic induction (B) Motion of charged particles in an electromagnetic field (C) Fission of Uranium by slow neutrons (D) Newton's laws of motion
›Reveal solutionSolution
The electric generator is a direct application of Faraday's law: rotating a coil in a magnetic field changes the flux through it, inducing an EMF.
Concept and Intuition
A generator is essentially the reverse of a motor: mechanical rotation of a coil inside a magnetic field (or vice versa) continuously changes the magnetic flux linked with the coil. By Faraday's law, ε=−dtdΦB, this changing flux induces an EMF, which drives current through an external circuit.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Identify the working principle needed: converting mechanical rotation into electrical EMF.
- Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction states that an EMF is induced whenever the magnetic flux through a circuit changes.
- In a generator, the coil's orientation relative to the field constantly changes as it rotates, so ΦB(t)=BAcos(ωt) varies with time, inducing a sinusoidal EMF. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQQ.A rectangular loop circuit has a sliding wire PQ as shown in the figure. The loop is placed in a magnetic field 'B', perpendicular to its plane. The resistance of the wire PQ is R. If the wire moves with constant velocity 'v', then find the current flowing through the wire PQ? [FIGURE] (a rectangular loop with a resistor R forming the left side, another resistor R forming the right side, and a sliding wire PQ (also of resistance R) vertically across the middle at distance l from the left side, moving to the right with velocity v) (A) 3RBlv (B) 2RBlv (C) 2R3Blv (D) 3R2Blv
›Reveal solutionSolution
The moving wire PQ is an EMF source of its own resistance R; the fixed resistors on either side act in parallel as its external load, giving total resistance 3R/2 and hence a current of 3R2Blv through PQ.
Concept and Intuition
As PQ slides with velocity v in field B, motional EMF ε=Blv is generated across it, and PQ itself has resistance R. Since the rails are (implicitly) resistance-free, current from PQ can return via either the left resistor or the right resistor — both connect the same top and bottom rails, so they are electrically in parallel with each other, both acting as the external circuit for the source PQ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- EMF source: PQ, with ε=Blv and internal resistance R.
- External resistance seen by PQ: the left R and right R are both connected across the same two rails (top and bottom), so they are in parallel: Rext=R+RR⋅R=2R.
- Total resistance in the circuit as seen by the source: Rtotal=R+2R=23R. …
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