Question

A circular aluminum coil lies flat on a horizontal surface. A bar magnet is held above the center of the coil where the south pole is pointing down. If the magnet is moved CLOSER to the coil from the position, what is the direction of the INDUCED current in the coil, as viewed from above as the magnet is showing?

Answer 1

When a south pole of a magnet approaches a circular aluminum coil, the induced current in the coil flows in a clockwise direction as viewed from above, in accordance with Lenz's Law and the right-hand rule.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a magnet is moved closer to a circular aluminum coil with the south pole pointing downwards, according to Lenz's Law and the right-hand rule (RHR-2), the induced current in the coil will flow in a direction that creates a magnetic field to oppose the change in flux. From the information provided, if the south pole of a magnet is moved toward a copper loop, the induced current flows such that the face of the loop nearer to the approaching south pole of the magnet becomes itself like a south pole to repel the magnet. As a result, using the right-hand rule with the thumb pointing away from the approaching south pole, we can determine that the fingers will wrap around in a clockwise direction when viewed from above. This indicates that the induced current flows in a clockwise direction in response to the approaching south pole.