The physics of phone chargers primarily involves electromagnetic induction to transfer power wirelessly to charge the battery. Here's a breakdown:
Wireless Charging: How It Works
Wireless charging relies on the principles of electromagnetic induction. Specifically, your phone charger uses inductive charging, which is based on the interaction between magnetic fields and electric currents.
- Oscillating Current: The charger contains a coil of wire. It drives an oscillating electric current through this coil. (Reference: 11-Jan-2016)
- Magnetic Field Creation: This oscillating current generates an oscillating magnetic field around the coil in the charger. (Reference: 11-Jan-2016)
- Induction: When you place your phone on the charging pad, the phone's internal receiving coil is exposed to this oscillating magnetic field.
- Current Generation: The oscillating magnetic field then induces a current in the receiving coil inside the phone, which is then used to charge the battery. (Reference: 11-Jan-2016)
In essence, the charger converts electrical energy into a magnetic field, and then the phone converts that magnetic field back into electrical energy to charge the battery.
