Final answer:
A magneto is a generator that creates high voltage sparks by spinning a magnet near a coil of wire, inducing an EMF and generating electricity per Faraday's law.
Step-by-step explanation:
A magneto is a type of generator that can create a high voltage spark necessary for various applications such as ignition in engines. The process involves rotating a magnet rapidly near a coil of wire. As the magnet spins, its magnetic field changes in relation to the coil. According to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, this change in the magnetic field generates an electromotive force (EMF) across the coil. The faster the change, the greater the induced voltage. If the voltage is high enough, it can jump across a gap, creating a spark. This is similar to how a Van de Graaff generator or basic experiments with bar magnets can demonstrate the generation of electricity.