Meaning & use
eddy currents
Last updated
Meaning
nounpluraltechnicalphysics
Circular electric currents caused in a conductor when it is exposed to a changing magnetic field.
Grammar: Usually plural; the singular form is 'eddy current'.
Patterns
- eddy currents are induced
- produce eddy currents
- reduce eddy currents
- eddy currents in a conductor
When the magnet moves near the metal, eddy currents are induced in the metal.
Engineers design transformers to reduce eddy currents and save energy.
The heat from eddy currents can be useful in induction cooking.
Word forms
| singular | eddy current |
|---|
Common combinations
- induced eddy currents
- The changing magnetic field caused induced eddy currents in the copper plate.
- reduce eddy currents
- Laminated cores are used to reduce eddy currents.
- eddy current loss
- Eddy current loss can waste a lot of energy in motors.
- eddy current testing
- Eddy current testing is a method for finding cracks in metal.
Synonyms and how they differ
- Foucault currents
- An older name for the same phenomenon, used mainly in some European textbooks.
Word family
- eddy noun
- A circular movement of water, air, or smoke; the word also gives its name to these currents.
Commonly confused: eddy currents or eddy?
eddy currents vs eddy
An eddy is a swirling movement of fluid, while an eddy current is an electrical effect. They are related in shape but not in meaning.
Practice
Eddy currents are produced when a metal is placed in a ___ magnetic field.
Choose one answer.
Eddy currents are induced by a changing magnetic field. A constant field does not cause them, so 'constant' is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “eddy currents”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.