If the current through an inductor increases, what happens to the induced voltage?

If the current through an inductor increases, what happens to the induced voltage?

• A. It remains constant
• B. It decreases
• C. It increases
• D. It flips direction

Answer: (C)

When the current through an inductor increases, the induced voltage actually increases in magnitude. This phenomenon can be understood through Lenz's Law, which states that the direction of induced voltage (or electromotive force, EMF) will always oppose the change in current that created it. In the case of an increasing current, the inductor resists this change by creating a voltage that acts in the opposite direction to that of the increase. Specifically, if the current through the inductor is rising, it induces a voltage that tries to reduce that increase, but the magnitude of the induced voltage is proportional to the rate of change of current. Therefore, as the current rises, the rate at which it is changing also increases, leading to a larger induced voltage. This relationship is described mathematically by Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, which states that the induced voltage in a circuit is equal to the negative rate of change of magnetic flux through the circuit. Hence, for an inductor, as the current increases at a greater rate, the induced voltage increases in a bid to oppose that change. Thus, the choice that states the induced voltage increases aligns perfectly with the behavior of inductors in electrical circuits.

When the current through an inductor increases, the induced voltage actually increases in magnitude. This phenomenon can be understood through Lenz's Law, which states that the direction of induced voltage (or electromotive force, EMF) will always oppose the change in current that created it.

In the case of an increasing current, the inductor resists this change by creating a voltage that acts in the opposite direction to that of the increase. Specifically, if the current through the inductor is rising, it induces a voltage that tries to reduce that increase, but the magnitude of the induced voltage is proportional to the rate of change of current. Therefore, as the current rises, the rate at which it is changing also increases, leading to a larger induced voltage.

This relationship is described mathematically by Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, which states that the induced voltage in a circuit is equal to the negative rate of change of magnetic flux through the circuit. Hence, for an inductor, as the current increases at a greater rate, the induced voltage increases in a bid to oppose that change.

Thus, the choice that states the induced voltage increases aligns perfectly with the behavior of inductors in electrical circuits.