29 August 17

What could induce me to wear this tie? On this date in 1831, physicist Michael Faraday discovered the principles of electromagnetic induction. This is "the production of an electromotive force (i.e., voltage) across an electrical conductor due to its dynamic interaction with a magnetic field." In other words, Faraday noticed that a moving magnet caused electricity to flow through nearby wires, proving not only that magnetism and electricity are closely related but that magnets could become the fundamental machine for electric motors and generators! On my tie, I think the bright yellow, green and blue striped bars are "inducing" their colors into the dots suspended around them.



Diagram of induction: the moving magnet causes electricity to flow in the nearby coil.