What is inductance a measure of?

Inductance is fundamentally a measure of the ability of a coil or inductor to store energy in a magnetic field as a result of the current passing through it. It quantifies how much induced voltage is generated when the current flowing through the inductor changes. Specifically, inductance is defined as the ratio of the induced voltage across the coil to the rate of change of current through it. This relationship arises because a changing current creates a fluctuating magnetic field, which, according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, induces a voltage in the opposite direction.

This induced voltage and the resulting relationship with the change in current are captured mathematically in the formula:

( V = -L \frac{di}{dt} )

Where ( V ) is the induced voltage, ( L ) is the inductance, and ( \frac{di}{dt} ) is the rate of change of current. Thus, it reflects the intrinsic property of the inductor to resist changes in current, symbolizing how effectively it can convert electrical energy into magnetic energy and store it.

Understanding this concept is crucial for analyzing electrical circuits involving inductors, especially in applications such as transformers, filters, and energy storage systems. The other options do not accurately