Physics – 4.5.2 The a.c. generator | e-Consult
4.5.2 The a.c. generator (1 questions)
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a) The e.m.f. produced by the generator is alternating (AC) e.m.f.
b) As the coil rotates, the area of the loop exposed to the magnetic field changes. When the coil is aligned with the magnetic field, the induced e.m.f. is at its maximum. As the coil rotates away from the magnetic field, the induced e.m.f. decreases to zero when the coil is no longer aligned. The e.m.f. then increases again as the coil rotates back towards the magnetic field. This cyclical change in the area exposed to the magnetic field causes the e.m.f. to vary sinusoidally with time.
c) The e.m.f. at the zero crossings is zero volts. This is because the area of the loop is zero when the coil is aligned with the magnetic field, resulting in no induced e.m.f.