Practice portal › Electromagnetic Induction › AC Generator

In an AC generator, induced emf ε = 0 at t = 0, then its value ________.

Asked in GUJCET 2025 · Peak and instantaneous EMF

Answer: (4) maximum at time π/(2ω)

Step-by-step solution

Given: the generator's emf vanishes at t = 0.

Idea: a coil turning at angular speed ω in a uniform field gives ε = ε₀ sin(ω t + φ); the condition ε = 0 at t = 0 fixes φ = 0, so ε = ε₀ sin ω t.

Physically the coil starts with its plane perpendicular to the field, where the flux is largest and its rate of change is zero.

The emf is largest when sin ω t = 1, that is ω t = π/2.

So the emf is maximum at t = π/(2ω). (It is back to zero at ω t = π and most negative at ω t = (3π)/2.)

Why the other options are wrong

More AC Generator questionsAll AC Generator questions →

Reading this solution needs no sign-in. You only sign in to practise against the clock and keep your progress.

Practise this with a timer