Oddy currents

Answer 1

Eddy currents, also known as Foucault currents, are electric currents that circulate within conductors in response to a changing magnetic field. When a conductor experiences a change in magnetic field, eddy currents are generated in the conductor due to Faraday's law of induction. These currents produce a magnetic field that opposes the original magnetic field, leading to energy dissipation and heating of the material.

Eddy currents are particularly important in transformers, motors, and generators, where they can cause energy losses and reduce the efficiency of the system. However, in some applications, such as induction heating and magnetic levitation, eddy currents can be harnessed for useful purposes.

The magnitude of eddy currents depends on the conductivity of the material, the strength of the magnetic field, and the frequency of the field. To minimize eddy current losses, conductors are often made from materials with low electrical conductivity or are laminated to reduce the flow of current.