Physics › Section Q · Electromagnetic induction and AC circuits › Topic Q.3
Generators and back emf
Most of the world's electricity comes from coils turning in magnetic fields. The same physics runs backwards inside every electric motor, where a self-induced emf limits the current and explains why motors draw so much more current as they start.
In this topic
- Turning motion into electricity
- A coil turning in a field
- The generator equation
- Worked example: a 60 Hz generator
- Real generators
- Why a loaded generator is hard to turn
- Back emf in motors
- Worked example: a motor starting and running
- Back emf in everyday life
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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