What effect does the magnetic field generated by eddy currents have on the field that induced the eddy currents?

The correct answer reflects the principle of electromagnetic induction and Lenz's Law, which states that the direction of induced currents (in this case, eddy currents) will be such that they oppose the change in magnetic flux that caused them. This means that when an external magnetic field induces eddy currents within a conductor, the eddy currents create their own magnetic field in a direction that opposes the original magnetic field that induced them.

This opposing nature is crucial in applications involving eddy currents, as it affects how items respond to magnetic fields. When the induced field opposes the original field, it may contribute to magnetic damping or a reduction in magnetic flux, which can be desirable or undesirable depending on the specific application, such as in non-destructive testing or induction heating. Understanding this relationship is vital for interpreting results in Eddy Current Testing, where detecting anomalies in materials involves assessing how these eddy currents behave in response to external magnetic fields.