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Can Lenz's Law be wrong?

ORAL

Abstract

The answer to this question is ``No''; Lenz's law is correct in all situations. The essence of Lenz's law is ``Nature abhors a change in flux. The induced current will flow in such a direction that the flux it produces tends to cancel the change''. I quote Griffiths here while acknowledging there are several different expressions. While Lenz's law is always correct, we should be cautious to use it when an inductor is involved; otherwise we may get an incorrect answer. I use problem 7.26 from Griffiths' book to make the point.

Authors

  • Lianxi Ma

    Blinn College - Bryan

  • Sheng Wang

    Schlumberger