Electricity & Magnetism

Eddy Currents

EDDY CURRENTS consists of a strong electromagnet through which visitors can drop different discs. Some discs fall freely through the magnetic field while others fall slowly. The magnetic field induces eddy currents in the discs and these currents are magnetic, so although none of the plates are made of magnetic materials, the plates which are electrical conductors are often affected by the magnetic fields. Conductors which have been slotted, so as not to allow the creation of eddy currents, also fall straight through the magnetic field.