Magnetism · Physics

AC Generator Simulation

Water turns a bar magnet beside a coil. Change the flow, the number of turns, the coil area and the field, and see ε = NBAω sin ωt light the bulb.

Interactive virtual lab · no download · works on phones and laptops

Chapter: Electromagnetic Induction
For: Class 12 · JEE · NEET
Time: ~12 min

AC Generator is a Pro simulation

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How to use it

1Open the tap to spin the magnet.
2Change turns, loop area and magnet strength in the panel.
3Switch the indicator between the bulb and the voltmeter.
4Pause and step to read flux and EMF at one instant.

What to notice

EMF is largest when the flux is zero, and zero when the flux is largest.
Peak EMF doubles if you double N, B, A or ω — each one alone.
The current reverses every half turn: that is alternating current.
No rotation, no EMF — a steady field through the coil induces nothing.

For teachers

A ready-made teaching kit comes with this lab

Lesson plan
20 min, 4 steps
Ask the class
3 questions with answers
Quick quiz
6 questions, printable
Key formulas
3 formulas

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About the AC Generator simulation

A generator turns rotation into electricity by electromagnetic induction. As the magnetic flux through a coil changes, an EMF is induced in it; when a magnet spins beside a coil (or a coil spins in a field) the flux rises and falls in a sine wave, so the EMF and the current keep reversing — alternating current.

In this AC generator simulation water turns a magnet beside a coil. Change the flow, the number of turns, the loop area and the magnet's strength, and watch a bulb glow or a voltmeter swing as ε = NBAω sin ωt. It covers Electromagnetic Induction in Class 12, JEE and NEET.

Also covers: generator, dynamo, induced emf, alternating current.