Magnetic Fields and Electric Currents April 28, 2015
How does this train go so fast?
The Science Behind the Maglev Train
Today, I can describe how a magnetic field makes an electric current. April 28, 2015
Faraday’s Experiment Hans Christian Oersted discovered that an electric current could make a magnetic field. Faraday set up an experiment to test whether the magnetic field of the electromagnetic would make an electric current in a second wire.
Faraday’s Experiment (p. 524)
Faraday’s New Discovery Faraday noticed the galvanometer pointer moved when he connected it to the battery. It moved again when it was disconnected. This showed that an electric current was present in the wires. Electric current in the second wire was made only when the magnetic field was changing. Electromagnetic Induction: the process by which an electric current is made by changing a magnetic field.
4 Factors that Induce an Electric Current (p. 525)
Inducing Electric Current An electric field is induced only when a wire crosses the magnetic field lines. An electric current is induced because a magnetic force can cause electric charges to move.
Electric Generator uses electromagnetic induction to change mechanical energy into electrical energy. the parts of an electric generator (p. 526)
How Electric Generators Work
Alternating Current def: an electric current produced by a generator that changes direction. Generators in power plants have alternating current (p. 527)
How Electrical Energy is Generated An electric generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. As water flows down a chute, it turns a turbine. The turbine spins the magnet of the generator, inducing an electric current. (p. 527)
Transformers increases or decreases the voltage of alternating current The side of a transformer that has the greater number of loops has the higher voltage.
Types of Transformers step-up transformer: increases voltage & decreases current. step-down transformer: decreases voltage & increases current. how transformers change voltage (p. 528)
How you get energy to your home