Brutus builds the simple electric generator pictured below. An electric current is generated in the wire loop whenever he turns the crank, causing the magnet to spin.

Question

How could Brutus increase the amount of electric current his generator produces?
A.
replace the wire loop with an unlooped strand of wire
B.
replace the magnet with a weaker magnet
C.
increase the rate at which he turns the crank
D.
increase the distance between the magnet and the wire loop

Answer 1

To increase the amount of electric current produced by the generator, Brutus should focus on factors that enhance electromagnetic induction. Among the options provided, the best choice is:

C. increase the rate at which he turns the crank.

By turning the crank faster, Brutus increases the rate of change of the magnetic field experienced by the wire loop, which in turn increases the induced electric current according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.

The other options would either have no positive impact or would reduce the current:

• A. Replacing the wire loop with an unlooped strand of wire would decrease the magnetic interaction and likely reduce the current.
• B. Replacing the magnet with a weaker magnet would decrease the strength of the magnetic field and reduce the induced current.
• D. Increasing the distance between the magnet and the wire loop would also weaken the magnetic field acting on the loop, thus reducing the current.

Therefore, the best answer is C.