In 1851, who discovered the phenomenon of Eddy currents which flow in closed loops within conductors in planes perpendicular to the magnetic field?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is opiton 4 i.e. Leon Foucault.
In 1851, French physicist Leon Foucault discovered Eddy currents—loops of electrical current induced within conductors when exposed to a changing magnetic field.
These currents flow in closed loops perpendicular to the magnetic field and are responsible for energy loss in transformers and motors.
Other Options:
-
David Hughes – A British-American inventor renowned for his contributions to early radio wave research and the development of the carbon microphone.
-
Charles Townes – A Nobel Prize-winning physicist, invented the maser and helped develop the idea behind the laser.
-
Nikola Tesla – Renowned for his work on alternating current (AC) power systems.
Leon Foucault also proved Earth’s rotation using the Foucault pendulum, but his work on eddy currents remains crucial in electromagnetism.
His legacy endures through numerous honors, including a lunar crater named after him and his name being inscribed among 72 great French scientists on the Eiffel Tower.