10: Inductance
A smartphone charging mat contains a coil that receives alternating current, or current that is constantly increasing and decreasing. The varying current induces an emf in the smartphone, which charges its battery. Note that the black box containing the electrical plug also contains a transformer (discussed in Alternating-Current Circuits) that modifies the current from the outlet to suit the needs of the smartphone. (credit: modification of work by “LG”/Flickr)
In Electromagnetic Induction, we discussed how a time-varying magnetic flux induces an emf in a circuit. In many of our calculations, this flux was due to an applied time-dependent magnetic field. The reverse of this phenomenon also occurs: The current flowing in a circuit produces its own magnetic field.
In Electric Charges and Fields, we saw that induction is the process by which an emf is induced by changing electric flux and separation of a dipole. So far, we have discussed some examples of induction, although some of these applications are more effective than others. The smartphone charging mat in the chapter opener photo also works by induction. Is there a useful physical quantity related to how “effective” a given device is? The answer is yes, and that physical quantity is inductance. In this chapter, we look at the applications of inductance in electronic devices and how inductors are used in circuits.
10.1 Mutual Inductance
- Correlate two nearby circuits that carry time-varying currents with the emf induced in each circuit
- Describe examples in which mutual inductance may or may not be desirable
10.2 Self-Inductance and Inductors
- Correlate the rate of change of current to the induced emf created by that current in the same circuit
- Derive the self-inductance for a cylindrical solenoid
- Derive the self-inductance for a rectangular toroid
10.3 Energy in a Magnetic Field
- Explain how energy can be stored in a magnetic field
- Derive the equation for energy stored in a coaxial cable given the magnetic energy density
10.4 RL Circuits
- Analyze circuits that have an inductor and resistor in series
- Describe how current and voltage exponentially grow or decay based on the initial conditions
10.5 Oscillations in an LC Circuit
- Explain why charge or current oscillates between a capacitor and inductor, respectively, when wired in series
- Describe the relationship between the charge and current oscillating between a capacitor and inductor wired in series
10.6 RLC Series Circuits
- Determine the angular frequency of oscillation for a resistor, inductor, capacitor (RLC) series circuit
- Relate the RLC circuit to a damped spring oscillation
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