eddy current

American  

noun

1. an electric current in a conducting material that results from induction by a moving or varying magnetic field.

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eddy current British  

noun

1. Also called: Foucault current.  an electric current induced in a massive conductor, such as the core of an electromagnet, transformer, etc, by an alternating magnetic field

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Etymology

Origin of eddy current

1590–1600, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

Large magnets pull out metals; aluminum is itself magnetized using what’s known as an eddy current to draw it out.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2024

When the metal plate is completely inside the field, there is no eddy current if the field is uniform, since the flux remains constant in this region.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

As it enters and leaves the field, the change in flux produces an eddy current.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

But when the plate leaves the field on the right, flux decreases, causing an eddy current in the clockwise direction that, again, experiences a force to the left, further slowing the motion.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

But I had not calculated upon its speed, and a strong eddy current at the point was wicked enough to draw our boat broadside to the middle of the stream.

From Borneo and the Indian Archipelago with drawings of costume and scenery by Marryat, Frank