What happens to eddy currents when a magnetic field changes in a conductor?

When a magnetic field changes in a conductor, eddy currents are induced due to electromagnetic induction, which is governed by Lenz's law. According to Lenz's law, these currents flow in such a manner as to oppose the change in magnetic flux that produced them. This means that as the magnetic field varies, the induced eddy currents will create their own magnetic fields in a direction that counteracts the change in the original magnetic field.

This opposition is essential in many applications, such as electromagnetic braking systems, where the eddy currents generated create forces that slow down moving objects. The swirling patterns of the eddy currents form as they flow within the conductor, creating loops and currents that respond dynamically to the changing magnetic field.

The other options do not align with this principle: eddy currents do not increase indefinitely; rather, they stabilize according to the changing conditions. They also do not simply move with the magnetic field; instead, they respond to changes and do not affect the conductor by having no influence, which go against the physics of electromagnetic induction. Thus, the cause and effect relationship established by Lenz's law accurately describes the behavior of eddy currents in response to a changing magnetic field.