Simulates the induction of electrical current in a metal coil using a spinning electromagnet.
To try this
simulation:
The induced current in a coil varies with the number and strength of the magnets being moved relative to the coil, as well as the speed with which the magnets are moved. Move the mouse pointer left to right to spin the turntable (and hence the magnets) relative to the coils. Left-click on the buttons to increase / decrease the number of magnets or to change the composition of the magnet(s). Left-drag to rotate the device.
What's Going On?
One of the "rules" of electricity and magnetism is that when you move a magnet near a coil of wire or move a coil of wire near a magnet, an electric current is created inside the wire - this is called induction. How much electricity is produced by induction depends on:
• the number of turns of wire in the coil
• the strength of the magnets
• the distance between the wire and the magnet
• how fast the magnet or coil of wire moves
The more turns of wire you have in the coil, the stronger the magnets, the closer the magnet and wire, or the faster they move the more electricity you can produce. Generators in power plants depend on inductance to produce electricity. Transformers in electronic equipment and those used by power companies also depend on inductance to change the voltage in an electric circuit.
