Lenz's rule simply explained
The easiest way to explain theory is through experiments. People remember something they once visualized better. Lenz's rule is also relatively easy to explain with the help of experiments.
For the two experiments that are intended to simply explain Lenz's rule, you will need three things: a tension meter, a horseshoe magnet, and a coil with copper wire.
This is how Lenz's rule is simply explained
- Do the following experiment: Make a horseshoe magnet swing back and forth in the cavity of a coil. Observe what is happening on a voltage measurement device.
- You find that you can use the magnet to create voltage. This electrical voltage generated by a magnet is known as electromagnetic induction. Induction voltage arises at the respective ends of the coil when the density of the field lines of the magnetic field changes in the coil.
- The induced voltage has one direction. This direction depends on whether the magnetic field in the coil is decreasing or increasing.
- In a second attempt, replace the voltmeter with a switch. Let the magnet swing again. Observe what happens when you leave the switch open and what happens when you close the switch.
- You notice that if the switch is closed, the magnet quickly stops swinging and comes to a standstill. Why does the coil cause this braking process? The oscillating magnet induces a voltage at both ends of the coil.
- When the switch is closed, a current flows through the coil, through the wound copper wire. Because of the copper wire, the coil has only a small resistance. Because of this, the induced current that flows through the short-circuited coil (i.e. when the switch is closed) can be relatively strong.
- This current ensures that the coil turns into an electromagnet. What you can now observe is an "exciting" interaction. It takes place between two magnets: between the horseshoe magnet and the electromagnet created by the induction current you generated.
- If the north pole of the magnet oscillates into the coil, the magnet is only braked if its north pole has also been created at the end of the coil facing the magnet. When the north pole of the magnet swings out of the coil again, the polarity of the north pole of the electromagnet must have reversed to the south pole.
It was discovered in ancient times that ores occur in nature that have the ability ...
And with that, Lenz's rule has already been explained simply on the basis of two experiments. You can already understand Lenz's rule: An induction current is always directed in such a way that it hinders the process that is the cause of the induction. This also explains why a perpetual motion machine is impossible.
