What is inductance?

• A. The ability of a circuit to resist voltage.
• B. The property of a coil to oppose changes in current.
• C. The measure of electrical power in a circuit.
• D. The capacity of a wire to conduct electricity.

Answer: (B)

Inductance refers to the property of a coil, or inductor, to oppose changes in the electric current flowing through it. When the current through the coil changes, it creates a change in the magnetic field around the coil. According to Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, this change in the magnetic field induces a voltage (or electromotive force) in the coil that opposes the change in current. This phenomenon is due to Lenz's law, which states that the direction of the induced current will always oppose the change in the original current that produced it.

Inductance is essential in various applications, including transformers, motors, and inductors in electronic circuits. It explains how coils can store energy in their magnetic field and how they contribute to the behavior of alternating current circuits, where the current continuously changes direction. Understanding inductance is crucial for predicting how circuits will behave in response to changes in current and voltage, making it a fundamental principle in electrical science.