I'm currently learning about Lenz's Law in physics, and I was confused about determining direction of induced emf.
I understand that when I have a magnetic field that is changing in one direction, a current will be induced in a direction as to oppose the changing magnetic field. How does the induced emf play into this? Does the induced emf always occur in the same direction as the induced current?
Thank you!
Best Answer
Emf is a scalar quantity because it is defined in terms of work done (scalar) per unit positive charge.
As such the name electromotive force is not a good one as the use of the word force might imply that emf has a direction.
When there is an induced emf then a force will act on a charge and the direction of that force on a positive charge will give you the direction of the induced (conventional) current if there is one.