Induced Electric Field Concept Question

In summary, the conversation discusses the difference between conservative and non-conservative electric fields in the context of Faraday's Law and electromagnetic induction. The main question is why an electrostatic electric field is conservative while an induced electric field is non-conservative. The conversation also mentions the source of energy for a changing magnetic field.
  • #1
Dgray101
33
0
I am having a bit of trouble understanding something in my textbook and was wondering if you guys could help clarify.

We just learned Faraday's Law that a time variant magnetic field will enduce an emf in a coil. What my textbook says is that " The electric field in the loop is NOT CONSERVATIVE because the line integral of E around a closed path is not zero. "

Can someone try to explain to me why an Electrostatic electric field is conservative yet this induced electric field is non-conservative?
 
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  • #2
What would happen if the induced field was conservative?

http://www.teachengineering.org/vie...lessons/van_mri_lesson_8/van_mri_lesson_8.xml
The electric fields produced by static charges are conservative, that is, a particle coming back to the same place will return to the same potential and kinetic energy. With a changing magnetic field the electric field is nonconservative, so charged particles may experience a gain in total energy. Where is this energy coming from? Well, whatever is responsible for changing the magnetic field must be producing currents to create the field in the first place, and so that agent must be the one adding energy to the system.
 

Related to Induced Electric Field Concept Question

1. What is an induced electric field?

An induced electric field is an electric field that is created in a conductor due to a changing magnetic field. This change in magnetic field creates a force on the electrons in the conductor, causing them to move and create an electric field.

2. How is an induced electric field different from a static electric field?

A static electric field is created by stationary charges, while an induced electric field is created by a changing magnetic field. Additionally, a static electric field does not require a conductor, whereas an induced electric field can only exist in a conductor.

3. What is Faraday's law and how does it relate to the induced electric field?

Faraday's law states that the induced electric field in a closed loop is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux through that loop. This means that the stronger the changing magnetic field, the stronger the induced electric field will be.

4. What are some real-world applications of the induced electric field concept?

The induced electric field concept is used in many devices, such as transformers, generators, and motors. It is also used in wireless charging technology and induction stovetops.

5. How does Lenz's law explain the direction of the induced electric field?

Lenz's law states that the direction of the induced electric field is such that it opposes the change in magnetic flux that caused it. This means that the induced electric field will always try to counteract the change in magnetic field that created it.

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