Self Inductance

Joseph Henry
1797 1878
American physicist
First director of the

Smithsonian
Improved design of
electromagnet
Constructed one of the first
motors
Discovered self-inductance
Unit of inductance is named
in his honor

Solenoid Flux
Coils of wire carrying current

generate a magnetic field.

NI,l

Strong field inside solenoid

If the current increases then

the magnetic field increases.

Increased magnetic flux
The magnetic flux through all

coils depends on the coil area

and the number of turns.

0 NI
l

0 N 2 A
NAB
I
l

Inductance
The ratio of magnetic flux to current is the inductance.

L
I
Inductance is measured in henrys.
1 H = 1 T m2 / A
More common, 1 H = 1 V / A / s

The inductance can be derived for an ideal solenoid.

0 N 2 A 0 N 2r 2
L

l
l

Coil Length
An inductor is made by

wrapping a single layer of wire

around a 4.0-mm diameter
cylinder. The wire is 0.30 mm
in diameter.
What coil length is needed to

have an inductance of 10 H?

0 N 2r 2
L
l

The formula is based on the

2
2 of the coil.
radiusand
length
0lr 2
0 (l / d ) r
L

l
d2
d 2L
l r =2 2.0
0.x057
Radius
10-3mm
0r

Turns N = l / d

Substitute for in the formula.

Electric Inertia
A changing current will

Increasing I,

create a changing flux.

B
Faradays law states that the

changing flux will create an

emf.
Direction from Lenzs law
The emf acts to oppose the

Decreasing I,

change in flux.
B

Inertial response

Back-Emf

Motors have internal coils.

The self-inductance will

oppose a change in current by

creating an emf.
This back-emf is responsible

for excess power draw when a

motor starts.

Induced EMF
Faradays law gives the

magnitude of the induced

emf.
Depends on rate of change
The definition of inductance

gives a relationship between

voltage and current.
More useful in circuits
Inductive elements in a

circuit act like batteries.

Stabilizes current

M

t
I
L
t

Mutual Inductance

VA

R
NA

VB N B

NB

M
I

M
The definition
of inductance
B
t
t
applies to transformers.
Mutual inductance vs selfinductance

M
t
Mutual inductance applies to

both windings.

Stored Energy
Electrical power is voltage times current.
True for emf from inductance
Average current is approximately one half maximum
Use one half to get average power

I
1 I
Pav I av L
I av L
I
t
2 t
Magnetic energy is stored in a magnetic field.
Energy is the power times the time

1 2
U Pav t LI
2

Energy Density
The energy density in a

solenoid is based on its

volume.

U
1
u B 2 0 n 2 I 2
r l 2
The energy density can be

expressed in terms of the

magnetic field.

B 0 nI

1
u B 0 B 2
2

CV 2 1 K 0 2

V
E energy density
uThe
2a
in
Ad
2 d
1
2

capacitor is based on its

volume.

V
1
2
E

E
E
0
The energy density
can
d
2 be
expressed in terms of the
electric field.

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