Fundamentals of Electricity & Electronics

What is the fundamental electrical characteristic of an inductor (coil) in a circuit?

Answer

It opposes any change in the current flowing through it

Inductance opposes a change in current by inducing a counter-EMF and stores energy in a magnetic field. Opposing a change in voltage and storing energy in an electrostatic field both describe a capacitor, and one-way conduction describes a diode.

Source: FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 12 (Fundamentals of Electricity & Electronics), 'Inductance'

Not the answer

  • It permits current to flow in only one direction
  • It opposes any change in the voltage across it
  • It stores energy in an electrostatic field between two plates

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