Induction - Definition, Difference, FAQs
  • Physics
  • Induction - Definition, Difference, FAQs

Induction - Definition, Difference, FAQs

Team Careers360Updated on 02 Jul 2025, 04:30 PM IST

Induction is a basic principle of physics, which concerns the generation of electric current or voltage by a changing magnetic field. It is important for many applications in practice such as electric generators, transformers, or inductive charging systems. Understanding induction explains why many of the things used on a day-to-day basis including home appliances, electric cars and many others, work efficiently. This article focuses on the definition, their differences, and induction questions. Therefore, their significance in today’s world will be easier to appreciate.

This Story also Contains

  1. What is Inductance?
  2. Self Induction
  3. Mutual Induction
  4. Difference Between Self-Inductance and Mutual Inductance
Induction - Definition, Difference, FAQs
Induction

What is Inductance?

Inductance refers to an electrical conductor’s capability to withstand the changes in electric current passing through it. L is the symbol to represent inductance and its SI unit is Henry. One Henry is defined as the quantity of inductance whereby an induced emf of 1 volt appears in a coil of wire carrying out a change in current of 1 ampere/second.

Factors Affecting Inductance

  • Inductance is affected by the following factors:
  • The inductor turns to measure how many turns there are in the wire.
  • In the core is a material used.
  • The shape of the core.

Types of Inductance

Inductance is classified into two types:

  • Self Induction
  • Mutual Induction
NEET Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics
This ebook serves as a valuable study guide for NEET exams, specifically designed to assist students in light of recent changes and the removal of certain topics from the NEET exam.
Download E-book

Self Induction

The electromotive force is created whenever there is a variation in either the electrical current or the magnetic flux of the coil. Such a process is known as Self-Inductance. At any instant when the current begins to increase in the coil, the magnetic flux is found to vary directly with the current in the circuit. The relationship is expressed as:

$$
\phi=L \times I
$$
Where $L$ is termed as the self-inductance of the coil or the coefficient of self-inductance, the self-inductance depends on the cross-sectional area, the permeability of the material, and the number of turns in the coil.

The rate of change of magnetic flux in the coil is given as,

$$
\begin{aligned}
& e=-\frac{d \phi}{d t}=-\frac{d(L I)}{d t} \\
& e=-L \frac{d I}{d t}
\end{aligned}
$$

Self Inductance Formula

$$
L=N \frac{\phi}{T}
$$
Where,
Lis the self-inductance in Henries
N is the number of turns
$\Phi$ is the magnetic flux
I is the current in amperes

Mutual Induction

Let us consider two coils. The first coil will be referred to as the P- coil (Primary coil) and the second will be is S- coil (Secondary coil). A battery and a key are connected to the P-coil, while a galvanometer is connected across the S-coil. Whenever there is a change in the provided current or the magnetic flux associated with both coils, then in each coil an electromotive force appears which opposes the change, this is called Mutual Inductance.

This phenomenon is given by the relation:

$$
\phi=M I
$$
Where $M$ is termed as the mutual inductance of the two coils or the coefficient of the mutual inductance of the two coils.

The rate of change of magnetic flux in the coil is given as,

$$
\begin{aligned}
& e=-\frac{d \phi}{d t}=-\frac{d(M I)}{d t} \\
& e=-M \frac{d I}{d t}
\end{aligned}
$$

Mutual Inductance Formula

$$
M=\frac{\mu_0 \mu_1 N_1 N_2 A}{l}
$$
Where,
$\mu_0$ is the permeability of free space
$\mu_r$ is the relative permeability of the soft iron core
N is the number of turns in the coil
$A$ is the cross-sectional area in $\mathrm{m}^2$
I is the length of the coil in $m$

Difference Between Self-Inductance and Mutual Inductance

Self-induction
Mutual induction
is the coil's self-inductance.
The mutual inductance of a pair of coils is its characteristic.
When the coil's main current decreases, the induced current opposes the decay of the coil's current.If the coil's main current decreases, the induced current developed in the neighboring coil opposes that decline.
Whenever the coil's main current increases, the induced current opposes it.A neighboring coil develops induced current when the main coil's current increases and this impedes the coil's growth.

Also read :

Derivation of Inductance

Consider a DC source. When the switch is turned on, the current flows from zero to a certain value such that there is a change in the rate of current flowing. Let $\phi$ be the change in flux due to current flow. The change in flux is with respect to time which is given as:

$$
\frac{d \varphi}{d t}
$$
Apply Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction,

$$
E=N \frac{d \phi}{d t}
$$
Where,
N is the number of turns in the coil
E is the induced EMF across the coil

From Lenz's law, we can write the above equation as

$$
E=-N \frac{d \phi}{d t}
$$
The above equation is modified for calculating the value of inductance

$$
\begin{aligned}
& E=-N \frac{d \phi}{d t} \\
& E=-L \frac{d i}{d t}
\end{aligned}
$$

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the SI unit of inductance?
A:

Henry is the SI unit of inductance.

One Henry is defined as the amount of inductance required to produce an emf of one volt in a conductor when the current change in the conductor is at the rate of One Ampere per second.

Q: What are the factors Affecting Inductance?
A:

Inductance is affected by the following factors:

  1. A measure of how many turns is in the wire of the inductor.

  2. the core material used.

  3. The shape of the core.

Q: Define Mutual Inductance.
A:

Mutual Induction Definition: It is necessary to place two coils near each other. Coils P and S refer to primary (primary coil) and secondary (secondary coil) coils, respectively. With the P-coil, a battery and a key are attached while with the S-coil, a galvanometer connects across it. An opposing electromotive force is produced across each coil when the current or magnetic flux varies between two coils, and this phenomenon is called Mutual Induction. 

Questions related to

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to ?

Whether it is not mandatory to attend induction or not confirm it with nit ap or previous year students as there is no information available on their website regarding this.

Generally induction program is like a pre interaction with your faculty, staff or your seniors.it introduces you to the life at the university, academic procedures,you will get an overall review of what is going to happen in this academic years.so its better to attend it.


I hope this helps you.

Hello Mahika

To know whether or whether not you will get any refund, you will have to contact your college authorities as they are the ones who would be able to tell the same clearly.

Each college has its own refund policy. While some colleges may give up to 100% refund, some may even deny it at the first place. So you will need to contact your college to know the exact refund policy.

Thank You!!!

Correct Answer: Employee benefits

 


Solution : The correct answer is (c) Employee benefits

LMN Enterprises plans to attract seasonal employees by offering incentives such as bonuses and flexible working hours. This strategy is related to employee benefits, as these perks are part of the overall compensation package designed to attract and retain candidates. In this context, the organization is using attractive benefits to make the temporary positions more appealing to potential seasonal employees.

Correct Answer: Outsourcing training


Solution : The correct answer is (d) Outsourcing training

When the HR manager at PQR Inc. decides to use external consultants to provide specialized training to employees for their new roles, the strategy being employed is outsourcing training. Outsourcing training involves hiring external experts or consultants to deliver specific training programs or sessions to employees, leveraging external expertise to meet the organization's training needs. This approach is common when organizations seek specialized knowledge or skills that may not be available internally.

Correct Answer: Employee benefits

  


Solution : The correct answer is (c) Employee benefits

LMN Enterprises plans to attract seasonal employees by offering incentives such as bonuses and flexible working hours. This strategy is related to employee benefits, as these perks are part of the overall compensation package designed to attract and retain candidates. In this context, the organization is using attractive benefits to make the temporary positions more appealing to potential seasonal employees.