When a magnetic field cuts through a conductor, what is induced into that conductor?

When a magnetic field cuts through a conductor, it induces a voltage within that conductor due to electromagnetic induction. This phenomenon is described by Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, which states that a change in magnetic environment of a coil of wire will induce an electromotive force (EMF), or voltage, in the coil.

The process occurs because the changing magnetic field creates a difference in electric potential across the ends of the conductor. This induced voltage can drive a current if the circuit is closed, but it is the voltage that is the initial outcome of this interaction.

Understanding this principle is vital for various applications, such as in the operation of generators and transformers, where moving magnetic fields are integral to the generation of electricity.