How does a synchronous AC generator produce voltage in stationary stator coils?

In a synchronous AC generator, voltage is produced in the stationary stator coils through the principle of Faraday’s law of induction.1

The process functions as follows:

• Magnetic Field Generation: The rotor, which is coupled to a mechanical prime mover, contains field windings (coils) that produce a magnetic field. As the rotor spins, this magnetic field rotates with it.1
• Induction: Because the magnetic field is rotating, it creates a changing magnetic flux that sweeps across the stator coils. According to Faraday’s law, this time-varying magnetic flux induces an electromotive force (voltage) within the stationary stator conductors.12
• Stator Design: The stator core is constructed from laminated magnetic steel to provide a path for this varying flux while minimizing power losses from eddy currents. The stator coils are housed in slots punched around the inner periphery of these laminations to capture the induced voltage.3

The resulting output is typically a sine wave, with the frequency of the generated voltage determined by the rotor's speed and the number of magnetic poles.45