What's the Most Useful Discovery in Physics? Generating Electricity from Motion

An introduction to electric power generation. We see how to convert the energy of anything that is moving into electrical energy. If you can find any way to convert motion that is happening around you into the movement of magnets near coils of wire, you will generate electric currents in those wires. Changing how much magnetic field punches through a coil will generate currents in that coil. This is the Faraday effect. The phenomenon is my choice for the most useful discovery in physics. People can easily convert the energy contained by moving objects into electrical energy.

[@TravoNtour]

This means it might be possible to generate current from the rotation of car wheels then use it to power the car.

[@dr.piercesphysicsmath9071]

True, but the resistance of the circuit would lead to some magnetic drag on the wheels. Good during braking, though! "Regenerative braking."

[@madrazz8888]

Just here to prepare for the next Carrington event :p

[@phyliniam1676]

does adding more magnets increase the energy output?

[@dr.piercesphysicsmath9071]

For the same rotational speed, you can generate more current with a stronger field (with more magnets). The faster you can change the product of field and area that the field punches through, the more voltage (and ultimately more current) you generate. The thing is harder to turn with more magnets, however. The currents that are induced in the coil create their own magnetic fields that resist the motion of the magnet(s) past the coil.

[@carlancheta7638]

is this can be use for suspensions systems too??

[@dr.piercesphysicsmath9071]

Yes, induced currents are involved in levitation of superconductors and in less dramatic effects like eddy current braking. 👍