When the north pole of a bar magnet is moved away from a coil, the current induced in the coil, as seen from the side of the magnet, is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → clockwise
By Lenz’s law, the induced current flows in the direction that opposes the change in magnetic flux that produces it.
Option (1) zero — Incorrect. The flux through the coil falls while the magnet moves away, so an emf is induced and a current flows in the closed coil.
Option (2) clockwise — Correct. As the north pole recedes, the flux through the coil decreases. To oppose this, the near face of the coil becomes a south pole that attracts the receding north pole. A current that makes a south pole on that face flows clockwise, as seen from the side of the magnet.
Option (3) anticlockwise — Incorrect. An anticlockwise current, seen from the magnet’s side, makes the near face a north pole. This happens when the north pole approaches and the flux increases.
Option (4) first clockwise and then anticlockwise — Incorrect. The flux keeps decreasing for as long as the magnet moves away. So the current keeps the same clockwise direction. It would reverse only if the flux started to increase.
NCERT (2026-27):
Lenz’s Law and Conservation of Energy – “… Similarly, if the North-pole of the magnet is being withdrawn from the coil, the magnetic flux through the coil will decrease. To counter this decrease in magnetic flux, the induced current in the coil flows in clockwise direction and its South-pole faces the receding North-pole of the bar magnet. This would result in an attractive force which opposes the motion of the magnet and the corresponding decrease in flux.”