Inductance is a property of an electrical conductor—typically a coil—that describes its tendency to oppose changes in electric current flowing through it. When the current in a conductor changes, it creates a changing magnetic field, which in turn induces a voltage (called back EMF) that opposes the change in current. This phenomenon is described by Faraday’s Law of Induction and governed by Lenz’s Law.
The unit of inductance is the henry (H). A higher inductance means a stronger opposition to current change. Inductance depends on factors such as:
- The number of coils or turns,
- The core material (e.g., air, iron),
- The geometry of the coil.
Inductors, which are components designed to take advantage of inductance, are widely used in electrical circuits to smooth out current, block high-frequency signals, and store energy in magnetic fields. This property is essential in devices like transformers, electric motors, and radio-frequency circuits.