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Handout 3 Inductors

This is a lesson for inductors

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12 views4 pages

Handout 3 Inductors

This is a lesson for inductors

Uploaded by

vincentpaulazelbon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Electronics Handout 3: Understanding Inductors

What is an Inductor?

An inductor is an electronic component that stores energy in the form of a


magnetic field. It is made by coiling a wire around a core (like air, iron, or
other materials). When current flows through this wire, it creates a magnetic
field around it. This magnetic field can then be used in various ways within
electrical circuits.

How Does an Inductor Work?

When electric current flows through the coil, it creates a magnetic field. This
field builds up as the current increases and stores energy. If the current
suddenly stops, the magnetic field collapses, releasing the stored energy
back into the circuit. This property helps in maintaining current flow and
protecting circuits from sudden changes in current.

Key Characteristics of Inductors

1. Inductance (L): The ability of an inductor to store energy in a


magnetic field is called inductance, measured in henries (H).

2. Current Resistance: Inductors resist sudden changes in current,


which means they help to stabilize current in a circuit.

3. Coil Material: Inductors can have different materials for their core,
like air, iron, or ferrite, affecting how much energy they can store.

Types of Inductors

1. Air Core Inductor: Uses air as the core material; best for high-
frequency applications.

2. Iron Core Inductor: Uses iron as the core material; often used in low-
frequency applications and power supplies.

3. Toroidal Inductor: Donut-shaped; very efficient in containing the


magnetic field within the core, minimizing losses.
Uses of Inductors

Inductors are used in a variety of applications:

 Transformers: Inductors are essential in transformers to transfer


energy from one circuit to another.

 Filters: Inductors filter out unwanted noise in circuits, ensuring that


only the desired signals pass through.

 Energy Storage: Just like capacitors, inductors can store energy but
in the form of a magnetic field.

 Voltage Regulation: They help stabilize voltage in power supply


circuits, preventing damage from sudden spikes.

Fun Fact

Inductors are often used in combination with capacitors to create oscillators


in radios and TVs. This allows tuning to different frequencies by adjusting the
balance between the inductor and the capacitor.

Quick Quiz on Inductors

1. What is an inductor and what is its primary function in a


circuit?

2. What unit is used to measure inductance?

o A. Ohms

o B. Watts

o C. Farads

o D. Henry

3. Name two types of inductors and explain one difference


between them.

4. True or False: Inductors are useful for filtering out unwanted signals
in electronic circuits.
5. Which part of a coil affects the inductor’s ability to store
energy?

o A. The battery

o B. The core material

o C. The outer casing

o D. The length of the circuit

Short Answer Questions

1. Explain how an inductor helps stabilize current in a circuit.

2. Describe a real-life device or application that uses an inductor and how


it functions within that device.

Multiple-choice questions

1. What is the primary function of an inductor in an electrical


circuit?
o A. To store energy in an electric field
o B. To store energy in a magnetic field
o C. To resist changes in voltage
o D. To convert DC to AC
2. The ability of an inductor to store energy in a magnetic field is
known as what?
o A. Capacitance
o B. Resistance
o C. Conductance
o D. Inductance
3. Which unit is used to measure inductance?
o A. Ohm
o B. Volt
o C. Henry
o D. Watt
4. Which material is commonly used as the core in an iron-core
inductor?
o A. Copper
o B. Plastic
o C. Iron
o D. Aluminum
5. What happens to the magnetic field of an inductor when the
current through it is suddenly stopped?
o A. The magnetic field stays the same
o B. The magnetic field increases
o C. The magnetic field collapses, releasing energy back into the
circuit
o D. The magnetic field converts to electrical energy
6. Which type of inductor is commonly used for high-frequency
applications?
o A. Iron core inductor
o B. Air core inductor
o C. Toroidal inductor
o D. Ceramic inductor
7. Why are inductors used in filters for electronic circuits?
o A. To store energy for later use
o B. To increase the circuit’s voltage
o C. To filter out unwanted signals and noise
o D. To convert DC current into AC current
8. Which of the following describes how inductors respond to
changes in current?
o A. They resist changes in current
o B. They allow current changes without resistance
o C. They increase voltage with current changes
o D. They convert current into heat
9. In which of these applications would you likely find an
inductor?
o A. Battery
o B. Transformer
o C. Light bulb
o D. Solar panel
10. When an inductor is placed in a circuit with a capacitor, it
can create a device that does what?
o A. Stores electric energy permanently
o B. Filters or tunes specific frequencies
o C. Converts AC to DC
o D. Decreases overall circuit resistance

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