Is it true that there must be relative motion between a magnetic field and a conductor to generate electrical energy?

The statement is true, as generating electrical energy through electromagnetic induction requires relative motion between a magnetic field and a conductor. This principle is articulated in Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction, which states that a voltage is induced in a conductor when it experiences a change in the magnetic field around it, or when the conductor moves within a static magnetic field.

When there is relative motion, it causes the magnetic field lines to cut across the conductor, prompting the movement of electrons within the conductor. This movement of electrons is what constitutes an electric current. Without the necessary relative motion, such as a conductor being stationary in a static magnetic field, no electrical energy is generated. Thus, this relationship between motion and electromagnetic induction is fundamental in various applications, including generators and transformers, which are critical in electrical work.