Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
- Calculate the emf induced in a generator
- Calculate the peak emf that can be induced in a particular generator system
The information presented in this section supports the following AP® learning objectives and science practices:
- 4.E.2.1 The student is able to construct an explanation of the function of a simple electromagnetic device in which an induced emf is produced by a changing magnetic flux through an area defined by a current loop (i.e., a simple microphone or generator) or of the effect on behavior of a device in which an induced emf is produced by a constant magnetic field through a changing area. (SP.6.4)
Electric generators induce an emf by rotating a coil in a magnetic field, as briefly discussed in Induced Emf and Magnetic Flux. We will now explore generators in more detail. Consider the following example.
Example 6.3 Calculating the Emf Induced in a Generator Coil
The generator coil shown in Figure 6.20 is rotated through one-fourth of a revolution (from in 15.0 ms. The 200-turn circular coil has a 5.00 cm radius and is in a uniform 1.25 T magnetic field. What is the average emf induced?
Strategy
We use Faraday’s law of induction to find the average emf induced over a time
We know that and and so we must determine the change in flux to find emf.
Solution
Since the area of the loop and the magnetic field strength are constant, we see that
Now, since it was given that goes from to Thus, and
The area of the loop is Entering this value gives
Discussion
This is a practical average value, similar to the 120 V used in household power.
The emf calculated in Example 6.3 is the average over one-fourth of a revolution. What is the emf at any given instant? It varies with the angle between the magnetic field and perpendicular to the coil. We can get an expression for emf as a function of time by considering the motional emf on a rotating rectangular coil of width and height in a uniform magnetic field, as illustrated in Figure 6.21.
Charges in the wires of the loop experience the magnetic force, because they are moving in a magnetic field. Charges in the vertical wires experience forces parallel to the wire, causing currents. But those in the top and bottom segments feel a force perpendicular to the wire, which does not cause a current. We can thus find the induced emf by considering only the side wires. Motional emf is given to be where the velocity v is perpendicular to the magnetic field Here the velocity is at an angle with so that its component perpendicular to is (see Figure 6.21). Thus, in this case, the emf induced on each side is and they are in the same direction. The total emf around the loop is then
This expression is valid, but it does not give emf as a function of time. To find the time dependence of emf, we assume the coil rotates at a constant angular velocity The angle is related to angular velocity by so that
Now, linear velocity is related to angular velocity by Here , so that and
Noting that the area of the loop is and allowing for loops, we find that
is the emf induced in a generator coil of turns and area rotating at a constant angular velocity in a uniform magnetic field This can also be expressed as
where
is the maximum (peak) emf. Note that the frequency of the oscillation is and the period is Figure 6.22 shows a graph of emf as a function of time, and it now seems reasonable that AC voltage is sinusoidal.
The fact that the peak emf, makes good sense. The greater the number of coils, the larger their area, and the stronger the field, the greater the output voltage. It is interesting that the faster the generator is spun (greater , the greater the emf. This is noticeable on bicycle generators—at least the cheaper varieties. One of the authors as a juvenile found it amusing to ride his bicycle fast enough to burn out his lights, until he had to ride home lightless one dark night.
Figure 6.23 shows a scheme by which a generator can be made to produce pulsed DC. More elaborate arrangements of multiple coils and split rings can produce smoother DC, although electronic rather than mechanical means are usually used to make ripple-free DC.
Example 6.4 Calculating the Maximum Emf of a Generator
Calculate the maximum emf, emf0, of the generator that was the subject of Example 6.3.
Strategy
Once the angular velocity, is determined, can be used to find All other quantities are known.
Solution
Angular velocity is defined to be the change in angle per unit time.
One-fourth of a revolution is radians, and the time is 0.0150 s; thus,
104.7 rad/s is exactly 1,000 rpm. We substitute this value for and the information from the previous example into yielding
Discussion
The maximum emf is greater than the average emf of 131 V found in the previous example, as it should be.
In real life, electric generators look a lot different than the figures in this section, but the principles are the same. The source of mechanical energy that turns the coil can be falling water (hydropower), steam produced by the burning of fossil fuels, or the kinetic energy of wind. Figure 6.24 shows a cutaway view of a steam turbine; steam moves over the blades connected to the shaft, which rotates the coil within the generator.
Generators illustrated in this section look very much like the motors illustrated previously. This is not coincidental. In fact, a motor becomes a generator when its shaft rotates. Certain early automobiles used their starter motor as a generator. In Back Emf, we shall further explore the action of a motor as a generator.