Past exam of the physics 2 paper of the University of Oxford / 2016 / 4

Let $A=\pi r^2$ and choose the rotating area normal to coincide initially with $+z$. At time $t$ its angle to the applied magnetic field is $\omega t$, so the external magnetic flux is ${\Phi }_B=BA\cos \omega t$. Faraday's law therefore givesIn the high-electrical resistance approximation, neglecting the loop's self-inductance, Ohm's law givesThe displayed signs specify positive circulation by the chosen normal; reversing the reference circulation reverses both signs. The high-electrical resistance assumption is quantitatively $\omega L\ll R$ if the loop has self-inductance $L$. Otherwise the current lags the induced electromotive force and must be obtained from $L\dot{I}+RI=\mathcal{E}$.

The magnetic dipole moment is $\mathbf{\mu }=IA\hat{\mathbf{n}}$ and its magnetic torque is ${\mathbf{\tau }}_{\mathrm{mag}}=\mathbf{\mu }\times \mathbf{B}$. Its component along the rotation axis opposes the imposed rotation. For positive $\omega$, the external driving torque needed to keep the angular velocity constant isAveraging over a complete rotation, with $⟨{\sin }^2\omega t⟩=1/2$, givesAs an independent sign and dimension check, $\omega ⟨{\tau }_{\mathrm{drive}}⟩=R⟨I^2⟩$. Thus the mechanical input power equals the mean Joule heating; a passive loop cannot supply a sustained driving torque. This average assumes the same negligible-self-inductance approximation as the current expression.