Eddy currents, also known as Foucault currents, are electric currents that are induced in a conductor by a changing magnetic field. These currents flow in loops within the conductor and can produce a variety of effects, including heating, magnetic fields, and resistance to motion.
Eddy currents were first discovered by the French physicist Léon Foucault in the 19th century. They are named after him, although they are also sometimes called eddy currents after the swirling motion of the currents within the conductor.
Eddy currents can be generated in a number of different ways, but one common method is by moving a magnet near a conductor. As the magnet moves, it creates a changing magnetic field that can induce currents in the conductor. These currents will flow in loops within the conductor, with the direction of the current determined by the direction of the changing magnetic field.
Eddy currents have a number of practical applications, including in electrical generators, motors, and transformers. They are also used in magnetic levitation, where eddy currents are used to create a repelling force that can levitate a conductor.
Overall, eddy currents are an important phenomenon in electromagnetism that have a wide range of applications in technology and engineering.
When a conductor is placed in the changing magnetic field, the induced current in the conductor is termed as Eddy current. We can define it as: Eddy currents are loops of electrical current induced within conductors by a changing magnetic field in the conductor according to Faraday's law of induction.
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Eddy currents, also known as Foucault currents, are electric currents that are induced in a conductor by a changing magnetic field. These currents flow in loops within the conductor and can produce a variety of effects, including heating, magnetic fields, and resistance to motion.
Eddy currents were first discovered by the French physicist Léon Foucault in the 19th century. They are named after him, although they are also sometimes called eddy currents after the swirling motion of the currents within the conductor.
Eddy currents can be generated in a number of different ways, but one common method is by moving a magnet near a conductor. As the magnet moves, it creates a changing magnetic field that can induce currents in the conductor. These currents will flow in loops within the conductor, with the direction of the current determined by the direction of the changing magnetic field.
Eddy currents have a number of practical applications, including in electrical generators, motors, and transformers. They are also used in magnetic levitation, where eddy currents are used to create a repelling force that can levitate a conductor.
Overall, eddy currents are an important phenomenon in electromagnetism that have a wide range of applications in technology and engineering.
When a conductor is placed in the changing magnetic field, the induced current in the conductor is termed as Eddy current. We can define it as: Eddy currents are loops of electrical current induced within conductors by a changing magnetic field in the conductor according to Faraday's law of induction.