Topic covered:
Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Michael Faraday and electromagnetic induction
What to study?
For Prelims: features, applications and significance of Faraday’s law.
Context: On August 29 in 1831, British scientist Michael Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction.
This discovery has led to important inventions such as electric motors, transformers, inductors, and generators.
Who was Michael Faraday, and how did he discover electromagnetic induction?
Michael Faraday is a Scientist from England, with pioneering contributions in both chemistry and electromagnetism.
His contributions:
He discovered Benzene, electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism, electrolysis, and the effect of magnetism on light.
What is Faraday’s law and how did it come about?
- Faraday wrapped a thick iron ring with two coils of insulated wire, one on each side of the ring.
- One coil was connected to a battery, and the other to a galvanometer.
- When the battery circuit was closed, Faraday saw a momentary deflection on the galvanometer.
- A similar momentary deflection but in the opposite direction was seen when the battery circuit was opened.
- This observation led to the discovery that a change in a magnetic field produces an electromotive force and current in a nearby circuit.
- This phenomenon, called electromagnetic induction, was later mathematically modelled by James Clerk Maxwell and came to be known as Faraday’s Law.
Sources: Indian Express.
