Inductors

Question 1

What is an inductor

Answer 1

Component which stores energy in a magnetic field when current flows through it
Coil of wire wrapped around a solid core

Question 2

What can affect the inductance value

Answer 2

Amount of coils
Spacing between coils
Whether its wrapped around a metal or palstic core
Diameter of coil

Question 3

How to increase inductance

Answer 3

Increase coil diameter
Increase amount of turns
Have a smaller distance between each turn

Question 4

What happens when current goes though an inductor over time?

What happens when it stops flowing?

Answer 4

Initially inductor resists current
Over time current passes and levels
Energy is then stored as a magnetic field

As current stops, magnetic energy turns into electrical energy and current gradually reduces

Question 5

Calculating inductors in series
Calculating inductors in parallel

Answer 5

Same as resistors

Add the inductance together
1/L = 1/L1 + 1/L2 + …

Question 6

How does a variable inductor work?

Answer 6

Coil wrapped around plastic with a ferrite slug attached.
Inductance increases/decreases as core moved in and out of coil