Automotive Physics: Faraday's Law

Faraday's law of induction relates to the science of electricity and its relationship to magnetics. Named after nineteenth century English physicist Michael Faraday, Faraday's law explains that when the magnetic field changes it brings about an electric current. Furthermore, the amount of electric potential is referred to as voltage. The following contains information on physicist Michael Faraday and his work.

Michael Faraday

Physicist Michael Faraday was born in England in the year 1791. He was born into poor circumstances and as a consequence didn't have the opportunity to pursue a formal education. Like many inventors and scientists, he had a curious intellect that prompted him to ask many questions. While working at a bookbindery as a teenager, Faraday received tickets to a lecture given by Sir Humphry Davy, the famous scientist. Faraday was enthralled with the lectures given by Sir Humphry. Later, he asked to work for Sir Humphry Davy and eventually became his assistant. As Faraday learned from the theories of Sir Humphry Davy, he began to test his own scientific skills and knowledge. He had some successes in the realm of chemistry including isolating benzene in 1825. Faraday soon became interested in the field of electromagnetism. Knowing that an electric current brought about a magnetic field, Faraday wanted to prove that the opposite was true as well. The result of his work on this idea became known as induction. Interestingly, an American scientist named Joseph Henry, who worked during the same time as Faraday conducted his own notable studies and research on the same scientific subject.

Faraday's Law

Faraday's law explains that a moving magnetic field induces current. The experiment that proved Faraday's law involves a loop, a galvanometer (measures current), and a magnet. In the experiment a loop is attached to the galvanometer. When the magnet is held in place next to the loop, there is no reading on the galvanometer. However, when the magnet is moved around near the loop, the galvanometer displays a measure of current. The galvanometer registers a reading only when the magnet is moving near the loop. In short, this experiment shows that a change in the magnetic field induces an electric current.

The Maxwell-Faraday Equation

Impact of Faraday's Law on Modern Technology

Many of the technological devices available today are possible as a result of the work of physicist Michael Faraday. For instance, his experiments and breakthroughs in the realm of electromagnetism led to the creation of the electric motor. In turn, this led to the creation of the transformer. Faraday's Law is at work in the process of starting a car. Early discoveries in the field of electromagnetism also made way for the discovery of the existence of radio waves. Years later, this would lead to new technology such as television, radio, microwaves, and cell phones to name a few. In short, the early work of Faraday and others in the area of electromagnetism paved the way for much of the technology people enjoy today.

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