What is the Difference Between Conduction and Induction?

The main difference between conduction and induction lies in the requirement of physical contact. Conduction requires direct contact with the conductor, while induction does not require direct contact with the conductor. Here are the key differences between conduction and induction:

1. Direct physical contact: Conduction needs direct physical contact between the two bodies, whereas no physical contact is needed in case of induction, but the two bodies must be placed close to each other.
2. Current direction: In the case of conduction, the current flowing through both bodies has the same direction. In induction, the same current flows within the bodies but with different directions.
3. Gradient path: For conduction, a gradient path is required for the flow of current. In induction, no gradient path is needed.
4. Electric field vs. magnetic field: Conduction allows the charge flow due to the electric field, while induction permits the flow of charge carriers because of the change in the magnetic field.
5. Charge transfer: During conduction, after transferring charge, there is a decrement in the first body. In induction, there is no actual transfer of charge from the charged body to the conductor; a charge is only induced on the conductor.

In summary, conduction is the process of transferring charges from a charged body to a neutral body by direct physical contact, while induction is the process of inducing charges on a neutral body by bringing it close to a charged body without making any direct contact.

Comparative Table: Conduction vs Induction

The main differences between conduction and induction are related to the physical contact required and the nature of the charge transfer. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences:

In summary, conduction is the process of transferring charges from a charged body to a neutral body through direct physical contact, while induction is the process of inducing charges on a neutral body by bringing a charged body close to it without any direct contact.