What do the voltages that develop within a conductor when AC current flows through it create?

When alternating current (AC) flows through a conductor, it generates voltages within the conductor due to its changing magnetic fields. These internal voltages lead to the formation of eddy currents, which are loops of electric current induced within the conductor. Eddy currents circulate in a direction opposing the change in magnetic field that created them, in accordance with Lenz's law. This effect can cause energy losses in the form of heat, especially in conductive materials.

Eddy currents are significant phenomena in various applications, including transformers and induction heating, where controlling these currents is essential for efficiency and performance. The generation of these currents illustrates the principles of electromagnetic induction, highlighting the dynamic interactions between electric and magnetic fields in conductors subjected to AC.