Eddy currents are loops of electric current induced within conductors by a changing magnetic field in the conductor, according to Faraday's law of induction. While they have several useful applications, some scenarios do not make use of eddy currents. Letβs look at a few common applications and then identify one that does not involve eddy currents:
### Common Applications of Eddy Currents
1. **Induction Heating:**
Eddy currents are used to heat materials in induction heating processes. When a conductive material is placed in a changing magnetic field, eddy currents are induced in it, and these currents generate heat due to the resistance of the material.
2. **Electromagnetic Braking:**
Eddy currents can be used in electromagnetic braking systems. In such systems, a magnetic field is applied to a conductor, generating eddy currents. These currents create opposing magnetic fields that resist the motion of the conductor, effectively slowing it down.
3. **Metal Detectors:**
Eddy currents are used in metal detectors to identify metal objects. When the detector's coil generates a magnetic field, eddy currents are induced in nearby metal objects. The resulting changes in the magnetic field are detected and used to locate the metal.
4. **Electric Meters:**
Some electric meters use eddy currents to measure electrical usage. In these meters, a rotating disc or drum is subjected to eddy currents induced by a magnetic field, and the rotation rate correlates with the amount of electricity consumed.
### Scenario Where Eddy Currents Are Not Applied
**1. Resistive Heating:**
Resistive heating, or Joule heating, involves heating a material by passing an electric current through it. This process does not rely on eddy currents but rather on the direct flow of electric current through a resistive material to generate heat. This is different from induction heating, where eddy currents are specifically used to produce heat.
**2. Chemical Reactions:**
Eddy currents are not involved in chemical reactions. Chemical processes rely on the breaking and forming of chemical bonds and are generally governed by principles of chemistry and thermodynamics, not electromagnetic principles like eddy currents.
In summary, **resistive heating** (where heat is generated directly by electric current passing through a conductor) is an example where eddy currents are not used.