Define electromagnetic induction.

Electromagnetic induction refers to the process of generating electric current in a conductor when it is moved through a magnetic field. This principle is fundamentally important in electrical engineering and is the basis for the operation of many devices, such as generators and transformers. When a conductor, such as a wire, moves through a magnetic field, the magnetic field induces a voltage across the ends of the conductor. This induced voltage causes an electric current to flow if the circuit is closed.

This phenomenon was first discovered by Michael Faraday in the 19th century and is encapsulated in Faraday's law of induction, which states that the electromotive force (or voltage) induced in a circuit is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux through the circuit. This means that both the strength of the magnetic field and the speed at which the conductor moves through it can influence the amount of induced current.

Understanding this process is crucial for anyone working in the field of electrical work, as it relates to how various electrical devices operate and how energy is transformed from one form to another.