inductance
The property of an electric conductor by which a change in current flowing through it induces an electromotive force (voltage) in both the conductor itself and in any nearby conductors.
Inductance is the electrical equivalent of inertia; it resists changes in current flow by storing energy in a magnetic field.
Word relationships
- magnetic inertia: Magnetic inertia is an intuitive, conceptual analogy, whereas inductance is the formal, measurable electrical property.
Commonly confused with
- induction: Induction is the physical phenomenon of generating a voltage, while inductance is the quantitative measure of a component's ability to resist changes in current.
Word family
- induct (verb): To bring about or introduce (often used non-technically).
- inductor (noun): A passive component that introduces inductance into a circuit.
- inductive (adjective): Relating to or caused by electrical inductance.
Collocations
- mutual inductance
- self-inductance
- high inductance
- inductance coil
Example sentences
- "The transformer relies on mutual inductance to transfer electrical energy from one coil to another without direct contact." Explaining the design of power transformers.
- "We may define the self-inductance of a circuit as the electromagnetic momentum of the current." A scientific lecture on electromagnetic properties.
Memory hook
Think of 'induct' as 'introducing' or 'inducing' a current in a nearby wire without touching it. Inductance induces a magnetic field.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'induction,' which is the general physical process, whereas 'inductance' is the specific, measurable property of the component (measured in Henries).
Fun facts
- Inductance is what allows wireless phone chargers to work—they use an inductive coil to transfer power through the air to your phone's battery.
Related words
Explore more words
impedance, Inertia, electromagnetic, dielectric, solenoid, Mass
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