Electromagnetic Induction

About this simulation

This simulation lets students see Faraday's law at work. A bar magnet moves back and forth through a coil, and the changing magnetic flux induces an EMF. Gold dots show the direction of the induced current and a lamp glows with the size of the EMF. Sliders set the magnet speed and number of turns, a toggle holds the magnet still and a button reverses it. Readouts show EMF, current direction, the coil face toward the magnet and the flux. It is a good starting point for lessons on generators and Lenz's law.

What students can explore

Turn on Hold magnet still and notice the EMF drops to zero even though the magnet is inside the field.
Raise Coil turns from 30 to 60 and compare the Induced EMF readout.
Increase Magnet speed and watch the lamp get brighter.
Press Reverse magnet and see how the Current direction readout changes.
Use the Lenz readout to say which face of the coil faces the magnet as it enters and leaves.

Learning objectives

1State that a changing magnetic flux through a coil induces an EMF.
2Predict how speed and number of turns change the size of the EMF.
3Use Lenz's law to explain why the induced current opposes the change.
4Explain why no EMF is produced when the magnet is not moving.

Questions teachers ask

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to use, runs in any modern browser including interactive whiteboards and tablets, and needs no sign-up.

Why does the lamp go dark when the magnet is still?

An EMF is only induced when the flux through the coil is changing. A still magnet gives a constant flux, so the rate of change is zero and no current is driven.

What is Lenz's law?

The induced current flows in the direction that creates a magnetic field opposing the change that caused it. Pushing a north pole in makes the coil face a north pole back at the magnet.

How do I use it in class?

Adjust the speed and turns sliders, use the hold toggle to pause the magnet, and press Reverse magnet to flip it. Compare the EMF and lamp brightness each time and ask students to explain the change.

Embed this simulation

Drop it into your LMS, blog, or class site — free.

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Continue exploring

Preview of Electromagnetic Induction and Generator

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