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Part 09 · Induction, light and optics · Card 4 of 11

Inductance

A coil's resistance to changing current. The voltage across it is L x change in I / change in t. It stores energy 1/2 L I squared.

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Analogy

A heavy flywheel for current.

Example

Inductor

V = L x change in I / time= 2 x 3 / 0.5= 12 V

In practice

A 2 H inductor with current changing by 3 A in 0.5 s has 12 V across it.

Questions people ask

Why does an inductor resist sudden changes in current?

A changing current changes its own magnetic flux, which induces a voltage that opposes the change, as Lenz's law says. So current cannot jump instantly. This is why switching off a coil can make a spark, because the field collapses quickly and produces a large voltage.

Where is energy stored in an inductor?

In the magnetic field inside the coil, with energy 1/2 L I squared. When the current falls, the field shrinks and returns the energy to the circuit. This is similar to a capacitor storing energy in its electric field, but with current in place of voltage.