Electromagnetic Induction for A Level Physics

See when changing magnetic flux linkage induces an emf, use Lenz’s law to predict its direction, and connect a rotating coil to the generator equations.

Learning guide and suggested activities

What this tool shows

  • Why an emf appears only while magnetic flux linkage is changing
  • How Lenz’s law makes a coil repel an approaching magnet and attract a retreating magnet
  • How magnet speed and number of turns affect the relative induced emf
  • Why rotating-coil flux linkage and induced emf are a quarter-cycle apart
  • How field strength, turns, area and rotation frequency set peak generator emf

OCR A relevance

  • OCR A Module 6.3.2: Electromagnetic induction
  • Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law and magnetic flux linkage
  • Qualitative induction and rotating-coil generators

AQA relevance

  • AQA 7408 sections 3.7.5.3 and 3.7.5.4
  • Magnetic flux and flux linkage
  • Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law and rotating-coil generators

Try these tasks

  • Predict whether the coil repels, attracts or has no effect on a moving magnet.
  • Reverse the magnet pole and motion separately and explain what reverses and what stays the same.
  • Compare slow and fast motion, then change the number of turns.
  • Scrub one coil rotation and identify where flux linkage and induced emf are zero or maximum.
  • Double B, N or f and predict the new peak generator emf.