State Lenz’s law. A metallic rod held horizontally along east-west direction, is allowed to fall under gravity. Will there be an emf induced at its ends? Justify your answer.

Lenz's law states that the direction of the induced electromotive force (emf) in a circuit is such that it opposes the change in magnetic flux that produced it. When a metallic rod is held horizontally along the east-west direction and allowed to fall under gravity, there will be an emf induced at its ends. This is because, as the rod falls, it cuts the Earth's magnetic field lines, resulting in a change in magnetic flux through the rod. According to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, this change in magnetic flux induces an emf in the rod. The direction of the induced emf will be such that it opposes the change in magnetic flux. As the rod falls, the magnetic flux through it increases. Therefore, the induced emf will be in a direction such that it generates a current that produces a magnetic field opposing the increase in magnetic flux. Since the Earth's magnetic field lines generally run from north to south, and the rod is falling along the east-west direction, the induced emf will be in a direction such that it creates a current that generates a magnetic field opposing the Earth's magnetic field. In summary, yes, there will be an emf induced at the ends of the metallic rod as it falls under gravity, and this induced emf will be in a direction such that it opposes the change in magnetic flux caused by the rod's motion. read less