See Also: Inductance
In Electricity and Magnetism, common name for three distinct phenomena. Electromagnetic induction is the
production of an Electromotive Force (EMF) in a conductor as a result of a changing magnetic Field about the Conductor. Such a variation may be produced by relative motion between the conductor
and the source of the magnetic field, as in an electric Generator, or by varying the strength of the entire field. Changing the Current in a given Electric Circuit can also induce emf in a nearby circuit unconnected with the original
circuit; this is called mutual induction and is the basis of the Transformer. Electrostatic induction is the production of an unbalanced electric Charge on an uncharged Metallic body as a result of a charged body being brought near it without touching
it. If the charged body is, e.g., positively charged, Electrons in the uncharged body will be attracted toward it; if the opposite end of
the body is then Grounded, electrons will flow into it to replace those drawn to the other end. The
body thus acquires a negative charge after the ground connection is broken.
Magnetic induction is the production of a Magnetic Field in a piece of unmagnetized iron or other ferromagnetic substance when a
magnet is brought near it. The magnet causes the individual particles of the iron,
which act like tiny magnets, to line up so that the sample as a whole becomes
magnetized.