General Physics (PHY 2140).ppt

Lightning Review Next week: Prof. Claude Pruneau 20.5 Generators Generators and motors are two of the most important applications of induced emf (magnetic inductance). A generator is something that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. Alternating Current (AC) generator Direct Current (DC) generator A motor does the opposite, it converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. AC Generators Basic operation of the generator As the loop rotates, the magnetic flux through it changes with time This induces an emf and a current in the external circuit The ends of the loop are connected to slip rings that rotate with the loop Connections to the external circuit are made by stationary brushed in contact with the slip rings AC generator Compute EMF It is only generated in BC and DA wires EMF generated in BC and DA would be Thus, total EMF is If the loop is rotating with w AC generator (cont) Generalize the result to N loops where we also noticed that A=la Note: is reached when wt=90? or 270? (loop parallel to the magnetic field) DC generator By a clever change to the rings and brushes of the ac generator, we can create a dc generator, that is, a generator where the polarity of the emf is always positive. The basic idea is to use a single split ring instead of two complete rings. The split ring is arranged so that, just as the emf is about to change sign from positive to negative, the brushes cross the gap, and the polarity of the contacts is switched. The polarity of the contacts changes in phase with the polarity of the emf -- the two changes essentially cancel each other out, and the emf remains always positive. The emf still varies sinusoidally during each half cycle, but every half cycle is a positive emf. Motors A motor is basically a generator running in reverse. A current is passed through the coil, producing a torque and causing the coil to rotate in the magnetic field. Once turning, the coil of the motor generates a back emf, just