Question
Many bicycles have generators that have a light that can be powered without a battery. Instead of a battery, a magnet and a coil of wire are used to make an electric current flow. The setup shown below models how a bicycle generator functions to produce light. Currently, no electric current is flowing through the circuit shown.
What needs to happen to cause an electric current to flow through the circuit?
A.
The magnet needs to be in constant motion.
B.
A smaller wire needs to be used.
C.
The magnet's north pole needs to point up.
D.
A bigger light bulb needs to be used
What needs to happen to cause an electric current to flow through the circuit?
A.
The magnet needs to be in constant motion.
B.
A smaller wire needs to be used.
C.
The magnet's north pole needs to point up.
D.
A bigger light bulb needs to be used
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To cause an electric current to flow through the circuit in a bicycle generator that uses a magnet and a coil of wire, it is necessary to change the magnetic field around the coil. This can be achieved by moving the magnet relative to the coil.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
**A. The magnet needs to be in constant motion.**
By moving the magnet, you induce a change in the magnetic field around the coil, which generates an electric current according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. The other options do not address the fundamental requirement for generating an electric current.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
**A. The magnet needs to be in constant motion.**
By moving the magnet, you induce a change in the magnetic field around the coil, which generates an electric current according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. The other options do not address the fundamental requirement for generating an electric current.