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Inductance and Self-Induction Revision Notes

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16.9Inductance and Self-Induction


In these revision notes for Inductance and Self-Induction, we cover the following key points:

  • What is inductance?
  • What is an inductor?
  • What is the self-induced emf?
  • How do we measure the self-inductance?
  • What are the factors affecting the self-inductance?
  • What are some applications of inductance in technology?

Inductance and Self-Induction Revision Notes

Inductors are devices used to produce a desired magnetic field. The symbol of inductor is ( ). A solenoid is the most typical example of conductor.

Inductors are analogue to capacitors, which are circuit components used to store electric charges in their plates producing in this way a desired electric field between their plates as they are charged by opposite signs.

We can change the magnetic field produced in the coil by changing the value of resistance of the circuit. This can be achieved by moving the sliding contact of rheostat in another position. As a result, we will obtain the new values: R, I and B for the corresponding quantities from R0, I0 and B0 they were initially.

The induced emf produced by the solenoid (known as self-induced emf because it is not generated by the flux change due to any motion in respect to an external magnetic field), is

ε' = -N ∙ ∆Φ/Δt

Since the magnetic field of a solenoid is

B = μ0N ∙ I/L

and the change in magnetic flux through the solenoid is

∆Φ = A ∙ ∆B

then, the self-induced emf in the inductor is

ε' = -μ0 ∙ N2 ∙ A/I∆I/Δt

The expression inside the brackets is called inductance, L. It is measured in Henry [H]. Hence, the self-induced emf in terms of inductance is

ε' = -L ∙ ∆I/Δt

If a current I is flowing through the turns of a solenoid (called henceforth an "inductor"), it produces a magnetic flux Φm through the central region of the inductor. As a result, we obtain for the inductance of inductor in terms of magnetic flux:

L = N ∙ ΦM/I

where N is the number of turns in the inductor.

There is a wide range of inductance application in modern electronic devices. Some of them include filters, sensors, transformers, electric motors, tape recorders, etc.

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