13.7 Applications of Electromagnetic Induction
3 min read•june 24, 2024
has diverse applications in modern technology. From computer devices to energy recovery systems, this phenomenon plays a crucial role in data storage, input devices, and improving vehicle efficiency.
The principles of electromagnetic induction extend to medical applications like . This non-invasive technique uses changing magnetic fields to induce currents in the brain, offering potential treatments for various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Applications of Electromagnetic Induction
Magnetic induction in computer devices
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- utilize magnetic induction to store and retrieve data
- Magnetic disks store data as tiny magnetized regions
- Small electromagnets called hover over the disk surface
- Write process involves heads creating localized magnetic fields to magnetize specific disk regions representing binary data
- Read process entails heads detecting magnetic fields of magnetized regions and converting them back into binary data
- employ magnetic induction for precise input and drawing
- Tablet contains a grid of wires generating a magnetic field
- contains a coil that induces a current when moved through the tablet's magnetic field
- Induced current determines stylus position, pressure, and tilt
- Information is transmitted to the computer enabling accurate digital input and drawing (Wacom tablets, Apple Pencil)
Electromagnetic induction for energy recovery
- Electric and utilize systems to recover energy during deceleration
- acts as a when the vehicle brakes
- Motor's (typically a permanent magnet) spins within a (set of coils)
- Spinning rotor induces a current in the stator coils via electromagnetic induction
- Induced current recharges the vehicle's battery storing recovered energy for later use ( Model S, Toyota Prius)
- Process improves overall vehicle efficiency by:
- Reducing energy wasted during braking
- Extending vehicle range on a single charge or tank of fuel
- Reducing wear on traditional friction brakes as regenerative braking system handles a portion of the braking force
- helps control unwanted oscillations in the system
Transcranial magnetic stimulation applications
- is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique utilizing electromagnetic induction
- Strong, rapidly changing magnetic field generated by a coil placed near the patient's head
- Magnetic field induces an electric current in the targeted brain region
- Induced current can excite or inhibit neural activity depending on stimulation parameters (frequency, intensity, duration)
- Principles of TMS:
- of induction: changing magnetic field induces an electric field
- Induced electric field causes current to flow in brain tissue
- Current alters membrane potential of neurons leading to changes in neural activity
- Uses of TMS:
- Research: studying brain function, connectivity, and roles of specific brain regions
- Diagnostics: evaluating integrity of neural pathways and identifying abnormalities
- Treatment: alleviating symptoms of various neurological and psychiatric disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Chronic pain (fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain)
- Parkinson's disease
- Stroke rehabilitation
Additional Applications of Electromagnetic Induction
- Transformers: devices that use electromagnetic induction to transfer electrical energy between circuits, often changing voltage levels
- : process of heating an electrically conducting object by electromagnetic induction, used in industrial applications and cooking
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of the body's internal structures
- : production of a voltage difference across an electrical conductor when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the current flow, used in various sensing applications
- Back EMF: induced voltage that opposes the change in current which created it, important in motor operation and control
Key Terms to Review (44)
Alternating Current: Alternating current (AC) is an electric current that periodically reverses direction, in contrast to direct current (DC) which flows in a constant direction. AC is the standard form of electricity distribution and is used in a wide range of applications, from powering household appliances to generating electricity in power plants.
Alternating current (ac): Alternating current (AC) is an electric current that periodically reverses direction. Unlike direct current (DC), AC voltage and current change their magnitudes continuously with time.
Credit card: A credit card is a payment card issued by financial institutions that allows the holder to borrow funds for purchases, up to a pre-approved limit. It is widely used in various transactions and involves paying back the borrowed amount with interest.
Eddy Current Brake: An eddy current brake is a type of electromagnetic brake that uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to generate opposing forces that slow down or stop the motion of a conductive object. It is a common application of the principles of electromagnetic induction.
Eddy Currents: Eddy currents are circular electric currents that are induced within a conductive material when it is exposed to a changing magnetic field. These currents flow in a direction that opposes the changes in the magnetic field, creating their own opposing magnetic field.
Electric Motor: An electric motor is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, producing rotational motion that can be used to power various devices and machines. It is a fundamental component in many applications, from household appliances to industrial machinery.
Electromagnetic Damping: Electromagnetic damping refers to the process of energy dissipation or loss due to the interaction between a moving object and the electromagnetic fields it generates. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in the context of applications of electromagnetic induction, where the induced currents within a moving conductor can create a force that opposes the motion, effectively damping or slowing down the movement.
Electromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic induction is the process by which a changing magnetic field induces an electromotive force (EMF) in a conductor, causing an electric current to flow. This phenomenon is fundamental to the operation of many electrical devices and is crucial in understanding the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
Faraday's law: Faraday's law states that a change in magnetic flux through a circuit induces an electromotive force (emf) in that circuit. This principle is crucial for understanding how magnetic fields interact with electric circuits and lays the foundation for many applications in electromagnetism.
Generator: A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through the process of electromagnetic induction. It is a fundamental component in the production and distribution of electrical power, playing a crucial role in various applications across the fields of magnetism, electromagnetism, and electromagnetic induction.
Generators: A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. It typically consists of a rotating coil within a magnetic field.
Giant magnetoresistance: Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) is a quantum mechanical magnetoresistance effect observed in thin film structures composed of alternating ferromagnetic and non-magnetic conductive layers. It results in significant changes in electrical resistance in response to applied magnetic fields.
Graphics Tablets: Graphics tablets, also known as digitizers or drawing tablets, are input devices that allow users to interact with digital content using a stylus or pen-like tool. These tablets enable users to draw, write, and manipulate digital images, making them a valuable tool for various applications, including digital art, design, and education.
Hall effect: The Hall effect describes the production of a voltage difference (the Hall voltage) across an electrical conductor, transverse to an electric current in the conductor and a magnetic field perpendicular to the current. This phenomenon is used to measure magnetic fields and carrier density in materials.
Hall Effect: The Hall effect is a phenomenon in which a voltage difference is produced across an electrical conductor transverse to an electric current flowing through the conductor and to an applied magnetic field perpendicular to the current. This effect has important applications in various areas of physics and technology.
Hard drives: Hard drives are data storage devices that use magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital information using one or more rigid rapidly rotating disks coated with magnetic material. They utilize electromagnetic induction principles for reading and writing data.
Hard Drives: Hard drives are data storage devices that use magnetic disks to store digital information. They are a critical component in modern computing, providing large-capacity, non-volatile storage for personal computers, servers, and other digital devices.
Hybrid vehicles: Hybrid vehicles utilize both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion. They improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Induced emf: Induced emf is the electromotive force generated in a conductor due to a changing magnetic field. It is the principle behind electromagnetic induction and is mathematically described by Faraday's Law.
Induced EMF: Induced EMF, or induced electromotive force, is the voltage or potential difference generated in a conductor when it experiences a change in the magnetic field around it. This phenomenon is a fundamental principle of electromagnetic induction, where a changing magnetic field induces an electric field, which in turn generates a voltage or EMF in the conductor.
Induction Cooktop: An induction cooktop is a type of electric cooktop that uses electromagnetic induction to heat cookware directly, rather than relying on thermal conduction from a heating element. This innovative technology offers efficient and precise cooking control.
Induction Heating: Induction heating is a non-contact heating process where an alternating electric current is used to induce a magnetic field, which in turn generates eddy currents within a conductive material. These eddy currents dissipate energy in the form of heat, allowing for efficient and controlled heating of the target material without direct physical contact.
Lenz's Law: Lenz's law is a fundamental principle in electromagnetic induction that describes the direction of the induced current in a conductor. It states that the direction of the induced current will be such that it opposes the change in the magnetic field that caused it, in accordance with Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.
Magnetic Permeability: Magnetic permeability is a measure of the ability of a material to support the formation of a magnetic field within itself. It describes the degree of magnetization of a material in response to an applied magnetic field, and is a fundamental property that determines the strength and behavior of magnetic fields within a material.
Maxwell's Equations: Maxwell's equations are a set of four fundamental equations in electromagnetism that describe the relationships between electric and magnetic fields and electric charges and currents. These equations form the foundation of classical electromagnetism and are essential for understanding a wide range of electromagnetic phenomena.
Michael Faraday: Michael Faraday was a pioneering scientist known for his groundbreaking work in electromagnetism and electrochemistry during the 19th century. His contributions, particularly in discovering electromagnetic induction and formulating Faraday's Law, laid the foundation for modern electrical engineering and technology.
Mutual Inductance: Mutual inductance is a measure of the magnetic coupling between two electrical circuits or coils. It describes the amount of induced voltage in one circuit due to a changing current in another circuit, and it is a key concept in understanding the principles of electromagnetic induction.
Mutual inductance (M): Mutual inductance is the phenomenon where a change in current in one coil induces an electromotive force (EMF) in a nearby coil. It is quantified by the mutual inductance coefficient, $M$, which depends on the geometry and orientation of the coils.
Nikola Tesla: Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and futurist best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. His work on electromagnetic induction and transformers had a profound impact on the applications of electromagnetic induction and the development of power distribution systems.
Read/Write Heads: Read/write heads are critical components in data storage devices, such as hard disk drives (HDDs) and floppy disk drives, that are responsible for both reading and writing data onto the storage medium. These heads act as the interface between the electronic circuitry and the physical storage surface, enabling the transfer of information between the device and the stored data.
Regenerative braking: Regenerative braking is a technology used in electric and hybrid vehicles that allows the vehicle to convert kinetic energy back into stored energy during braking. This process captures the energy that would otherwise be lost as heat in traditional braking systems, improving overall energy efficiency and extending the vehicle's range. By using electromagnetic induction, regenerative braking transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy, allowing it to recharge the battery while decelerating.
Rotor: The rotor is the rotating part of an electric generator or motor, responsible for generating the magnetic field that interacts with the stationary part, known as the stator, to produce electricity or motion.
Stator: The stator is the stationary part of an electric generator or electric motor, consisting of a series of electromagnets arranged in a circular pattern around the rotor. It is a critical component that generates the magnetic field necessary for the operation of these electromechanical devices.
Step-down transformer: A step-down transformer is a device that reduces the voltage from the primary winding to the secondary winding while increasing the current. It operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction and follows the transformer equation.
Stylus: A stylus is a pointed instrument used to write, draw, or navigate on electronic devices with touch-sensitive screens, such as smartphones, tablets, and digital drawing pads. It serves as an input device, allowing users to interact with the screen directly using a pen-like tool instead of their fingers.
Tablet computers: Tablet computers are portable, touchscreen devices that can perform many of the same functions as a personal computer. They are often used for educational purposes, including accessing digital textbooks and running simulation software related to physics.
Tesla: The tesla (T) is the SI unit of magnetic flux density, representing the strength of a magnetic field. One tesla is defined as one weber per square meter.
Tesla: The tesla (T) is the unit of magnetic flux density, or magnetic field strength, in the International System of Units (SI). It is named after the Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla, who made significant contributions to the field of electromagnetism. The tesla is a fundamental unit that is essential in understanding and describing various electromagnetic phenomena and their applications.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. It is a widely used tool in neuroscience research and clinical applications, particularly in the study and treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method used to stimulate small regions of the brain using magnetic fields generated by electromagnetic induction. It involves placing a coil near the head to create electric currents in specific areas of the brain.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique used to stimulate specific regions of the brain by generating a strong, rapidly changing magnetic field. This technique has found applications in various fields, including the study of electromagnetic induction and its applications.
TMS is a powerful tool that allows researchers and clinicians to investigate and modulate brain function without the need for surgical intervention. By applying a magnetic field to the scalp, TMS can induce electrical currents in the underlying brain tissue, which can then alter the activity of specific neural circuits.
Transformer: A transformer is a device that uses electromagnetic induction to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another, usually to change the voltage or current levels between the two circuits. It is a fundamental component in various applications of electricity and electronics.
Weber: The weber (Wb) is the SI unit of magnetic flux, representing the quantity of magnetism. One weber is equal to one tesla meter squared ($1 \, \text{Wb} = 1 \, \text{T} \cdot m^2$).
Weber: The weber (symbol: Wb) is the unit of magnetic flux in the International System of Units (SI). It is named after the German physicist Wilhelm Eduard Weber. The weber is a fundamental unit that is closely related to the concepts of magnetic field, electromagnetic induction, and the functioning of various electrical and electronic devices.