# Lenz's Law
**The direction of an electric current induced by a changing magnetic field is such that its induced magnetic field opposes changes of the initial magnetic field.**
It is a manifestation of the *law of conservation of energy* during the conversion between mechanical and electrical energy.
![[Lenz'sLaw.svg|300]]
*Lenz's law; the right-hand rule can be used to identify the induced direction of current with the thumb pointing in the direction of the opposing magnetic field*
>[!Example]
>In the above diagram, the *downwards* movement of the magnet causes an *increasing downwards* flux through the conductor loop.
>
>To generate an opposing flux, the electric current induced is in the *counterclockwise* direction. The induced flux is then in the *upwards* direction and *repels* the magnet.
The induced flux is directed in the opposite direction of an increasing field and the same direction as a decreasing field.
The direction of the current can be determined using the *right-hand rule* for electromagnetic induction according to the opposing flux induced.
Lenz's law is included in [[Faraday's law of induction]] in the form of a *negative sign*.
## Violation
In the case of the violation of Lenz's law, an external *increasing* flux would induce a current that generates flux in the *same direction*. The source of the external flux will therefore be *attracted* towards the conductor, accelerating it and further increasing the flux.
Thus, *electrical and mechanical* energy are both created which is a violation of the law of conservation of energy.