Question

What exactly happens with the electrons in a magnet when it is creating electricity in a generator?

Answer 1

mammaaaaaaaaaaa

Answer 2

They moved

Answer 3

This is not a well-posed question. The electrons in the magnet itself aren't doing anything particularly important other than being there and helping generate the magnetic field.

What's really important is what is happenings to the electrons in the induction coil. And they are moving according to the Lorentz Force Law.

You might find this video helpful:
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-02-electricity-and-magnetism-spring-2002/video-lectures/lecture-11-magnetic-field-and-lorentz-force/

He gives a very nice demonstration at the end of the lecture of an electric motor using magnets. This is the opposite of what you're asking, as the motor is an example of transforming electricity -> mechanical energy; while in a generator we take mechanical energy -> electricity. But all the equations and principles that govern the situation are exactly the same.

Answer 4

Aren't the electrons spinning around an axis?

Answer 5

Yes, the whole magnet is spinning. What's important is the magnetic field is moving. This generates the Lorentz force on the electrons in the induction coil.

What's happening to the electrons __in the magnet itself__ isn't important and doesn't feature directly in the calculation.

Answer 6

when magnetic flux changes, electric field is created

Answer 7

\[emf=-\frac{dB}{dt}\]

B= magnetic flux

Answer 8

So what you're saying is that what the electrons are doing doesn't matter, it's actually the magnetics fields movements that are generating electricity?

Answer 9

yes, it follows faraday law of induction

Answer 10

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.

Answer 11

to generate emf, you can either vary magnetic field,angles between , or the area

Answer 12

Please simplify your equation, i am a bit too stupid to get that.. Also, what is flux and emf?

Answer 13

Magnetic flux= magnetic field * area (assuming they are normal to each other)

emf= volt

Answer 14

Alternatively, watch the lecture I linked to above. You won't understand all the equations first time through, but you'll begin to understand the physics of what's going on.