Levitating Barbecue! Electromagnetic Induction

Veritasium
9 Oct 201203:45
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this intriguing demonstration, a 1 kg aluminum plate levitates above a coil carrying a powerful alternating electric current, illustrating Faraday's Law of electromagnetic induction. The experiment, reminiscent of Faraday's original setup at the Royal Institution in London, shows how a changing magnetic field induces currents in the plate, creating an opposing magnetic field for levitation. The same principle also heats the plate, making it glow and even cook food, while the setup provides a hands-on lesson on the foundational concept of electromagnetism.

Takeaways
  • 🔌 The experiment involves passing a large alternating electric current through a coil to induce motion in an aluminum plate.
  • 📊 The aluminum plate vibrates at twice the frequency of the alternating current, demonstrating the effect of electromagnetic induction.
  • 🏛️ The script takes us to The Royal Institution in London, where Michael Faraday conducted his famous experiments on electromagnetic induction.
  • 🔒 The lab is preserved as it was during Faraday's time, with original equipment and setup intact.
  • 🧲 Faraday's work addressed the question of whether a magnetic field could generate electric current, a concept known as electromagnetic induction.
  • 🌀 Faraday's electromagnetic induction ring was a key apparatus, demonstrating how a changing magnetic field could induce an electric current in a separate coil.
  • ⏳ The process of wrapping and insulating the wire around the iron ring was time-consuming but led to a significant discovery.
  • 🔋 When a battery was connected to one coil, a pulse of current was induced in the other coil, and vice versa when the battery was disconnected.
  • 🛫 The aluminum plate levitates due to the induced currents created by the changing magnetic field, which opposes the magnetic field from the coil.
  • 💡 The induced current in the plate can also be used to power lightbulbs, demonstrating practical applications of electromagnetic induction.
  • 🔥 The induced current in the plate dissipates energy as heat, which can be felt by touching the plate or observing the heating of water.
Q & A

  • What is the purpose of the thick wire coil in the experiment?

    -The thick wire coil is part of an electromagnet setup used to generate a magnetic field. When an alternating current passes through it, it creates a changing magnetic field which is crucial for the demonstration of electromagnetic induction.

  • What is the significance of the 1 kg aluminium plate in the setup?

    -The 1 kg aluminium plate is used to demonstrate the principle of electromagnetic induction. As the magnetic field changes beneath the coil, it induces eddy currents in the plate, which in turn create their own magnetic field that opposes the original field, causing the plate to levitate.

  • Why does the plate vibrate at twice the frequency of the alternating current?

    -The plate vibrates at twice the frequency of the alternating current because each cycle of the current induces a change in the magnetic field twice—once when the current increases and once when it decreases. This results in two vibrations per cycle, doubling the frequency of the current.

  • What historical location is mentioned in the script and why is it significant?

    -The Royal Institution in London is mentioned as the place where the script's presenter has gone to understand the origins of the experiment. It is significant because it is a key location in the history of scientific discovery, including Michael Faraday's work on electromagnetic induction.

  • What is Faraday's electromagnetic induction ring and why is it famous?

    -Faraday's electromagnetic induction ring is an apparatus that he used to demonstrate that a changing magnetic field can induce an electric current in a conductor. It is famous because it was the first successful demonstration of electromagnetic induction, which is a fundamental principle in electrical engineering and technology.

  • What was the challenge Faraday faced when he was conducting his experiments in 1831?

    -In 1831, Faraday faced the challenge of not having readily available insulated wire. He had to insulate the wire himself as he was wrapping it around the iron ring, which was a time-consuming process taking 10 working days.

  • What did Faraday discover when he connected a battery to one of the coils?

    -When Faraday connected a battery to one of the coils, he observed a brief pulse of current in the other coil. This indicated that a changing magnetic field could induce an electric current, confirming the principle of electromagnetic induction.

  • How does the levitation of the aluminium plate relate to the concept of electromagnetic induction?

    -The levitation of the aluminium plate is a direct result of electromagnetic induction. The changing magnetic field induces eddy currents in the plate, which generate their own magnetic field that opposes the original field, resulting in the levitation of the plate.

  • What is the role of the 800A alternating current in the demonstration?

    -The 800A alternating current passing through the bottom coil creates a constantly changing magnetic field. This changing field is essential for inducing currents in the aluminium plate, which in turn creates an opposing magnetic field, causing the plate to levitate.

  • Why does the induced current in the plate cause it to heat up?

    -The induced current in the plate causes it to heat up due to the resistance of the aluminium material to the flow of electricity. As the current flows through the plate, it dissipates energy in the form of heat, which can be felt as the plate becomes hot to the touch.

  • How is the demonstration of electromagnetic induction in this script connected to everyday applications?

    -The demonstration connects to everyday applications by showing how the induced currents can power lightbulbs and heat elements, similar to how electric toasters work. It also humorously suggests the levitating plate as a unique dinner table centerpiece, combining levitation, lighting, and cooking in one demonstration.

Outlines
00:00
🔌 Electromagnetic Induction and Levitation

The script begins with an experiment demonstrating the effects of electromagnetic induction. A large alternating electric current is passed through a coil, causing a 1 kg aluminum plate to vibrate at twice the frequency of the current. This vibration is due to the induced currents in the plate, which create an opposing magnetic field, ultimately levitating the plate. The script then transitions to a historical context, visiting the Royal Institution in London, where Michael Faraday conducted his groundbreaking experiments on electromagnetic induction. Faraday's apparatus, the electromagnetic induction ring, is described in detail, highlighting its construction and the significance of Faraday's discovery that a changing magnetic field can induce an electric current. The script concludes with an explanation of how the same principle is used in the experiment to levitate the aluminum plate, demonstrating the practical applications of Faraday's Law of electromagnetic induction.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Alternating Electric Current
An alternating electric current (AC) is a type of electric current that periodically reverses direction. In the context of the video, a huge alternating electric current is passed through a coil of thick wire, creating a changing magnetic field. This is a fundamental concept in the demonstration of electromagnetic induction, as it is the changing magnetic field that induces currents in the aluminum plate, causing it to levitate.
💡Vibration
Vibration refers to the oscillatory motion of an object around an equilibrium point. In the script, the aluminum plate vibrates at twice the frequency of the alternating current, illustrating the effect of the magnetic field on the plate. This is a direct result of the electromagnetic induction process, where the induced currents in the plate create their own magnetic field that opposes the original field, leading to levitation and vibration.
💡Faraday's Electromagnetic Induction Ring
Faraday's electromagnetic induction ring is a historical apparatus used by Michael Faraday to demonstrate the principle of electromagnetic induction. In the video, it is mentioned as the key to Faraday's magnetic lab, where he wrapped two coils of insulated wire around an iron ring and showed that a changing magnetic field could induce an electric current in a separate coil. This concept is central to the video's demonstration, as it explains the underlying principle behind the levitating aluminum plate.
💡Insulated Wire
Insulated wire is a type of electrical conductor that is covered with a material to prevent the flow of electric current outside the conductor. In the script, it is mentioned that in 1831, insulated wire was not readily available, and Faraday had to insulate the wire as he went, which was a time-consuming process. This detail highlights the historical context and the ingenuity of Faraday's experiments, which are still relevant to the modern demonstration of electromagnetic induction.
💡Magnetic Field
A magnetic field is a region around a magnetic material or a moving electric charge within which the force of magnetism acts. In the video, the magnetic field is generated by the alternating electric current passing through the coil. This field is crucial for the demonstration, as it is the changing magnetic field that induces currents in the aluminum plate, leading to levitation. The script also mentions the interaction of magnetic fields between the coils, which is a key aspect of electromagnetic induction.
💡Levitation
Levitation is the phenomenon by which an object is suspended in the air without any physical support. In the video, the aluminum plate levitates due to the induced currents creating a magnetic field that opposes the original magnetic field from the coil. This is a striking demonstration of electromagnetic induction and is a central visual element of the video, showcasing the power of Faraday's discovery.
💡Induced Current
An induced current is an electric current that is generated within a conductor by a changing magnetic field, without the need for a direct connection to a power source. In the script, the changing magnetic field above the coil induces currents in the aluminum plate, which is a key part of the levitation process. The script also mentions that the induced current in the plate dissipates energy as heat, demonstrating another effect of electromagnetic induction.
💡Heat Dissipation
Heat dissipation is the process by which excess heat is removed from a system or a component. In the video, the induced current in the aluminum plate dissipates its energy as heat, which is a byproduct of the electromagnetic induction process. This is demonstrated when the script mentions the plate's ability to heat up water and make lightbulbs glow, showing practical applications of the heat generated by the induced currents.
💡Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction
Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction is a fundamental principle in electromagnetism that states that a changing magnetic field will induce an electromotive force (EMF) in a conductor. In the video, this law is demonstrated through the levitating aluminum plate and the glowing lightbulbs. The script emphasizes this law as the main theme of the video, showing how it can be practically applied and observed.
💡The Royal Institution
The Royal Institution is a scientific organization in London known for its historical significance in scientific discovery and education. In the script, it is mentioned as the place where the narrator has come to understand the origins of the electromagnetic induction experiments. The Royal Institution is also where Faraday conducted his groundbreaking work, adding a layer of historical context to the video's narrative.
💡Electromagnet
An electromagnet is a type of magnet whose magnetic field is generated by an electric current. In the script, the giant electromagnet is mentioned as being part of the setup that Faraday used in his experiments. The electromagnet is crucial to the demonstration in the video, as it is the source of the magnetic field that induces currents in the aluminum plate, leading to levitation and other effects shown.
Highlights

Switching on the device with a coil of thick wire to pass a huge alternating electric current.

An aluminium plate vibrates at two times the frequency of the current, creating a distinct noise.

Visit to the Royal Institution in London, the birthplace of Faraday's magnetic lab.

Faraday's magnetic lab from the 1870s is preserved intact, including the original joinery and giant electromagnet.

Faraday demonstrated that electric current creates a magnetic field and explored if a magnetic field could generate electric current.

Faraday's famous electromagnetic induction ring, used to show how a changing magnetic field induces current.

In 1831, Faraday wrapped two coils of insulated wire around an iron ring, taking 10 working days to complete.

Connecting a battery to one coil produced a brief pulse of current in the other coil, and disconnecting it caused a pulse in the opposite direction.

Faraday's realization that current is induced only when the magnetic field through the coil is changing.

Current in the coils can repel each other due to the interaction of their magnetic fields.

Passing 800A of electric current through a coil, alternating direction 900 times per second, creates a constantly changing magnetic field.

An aluminium plate levitates above the coil due to induced currents creating an opposing magnetic field.

The induced current can make lightbulbs glow and generate heat, demonstrated with a flying BBQ setup.

A demonstration of Faraday's Law of electromagnetic induction with a levitating plate, glowing lightbulbs, and heat generation.

The practical applications of Faraday's Law, showcased as an impressive dinner table centerpiece that levitates, lights up, and cooks food.

Transcripts

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Electromagnetic InductionFaraday's LawPhysics DemoMagnetic LevitationAluminium PlateElectric CurrentScientific ExperimentHistorical LabRoyal InstitutionEducational Content