inductance
C2Technical, Scientific
Definition
Meaning
A property of an electrical circuit or component that opposes any change in the current flowing through it, causing it to store energy in a magnetic field.
The measure of the opposition to the change in current, quantified in henries (H). In physics and engineering, it also refers to the analogous property in other systems where a change in one quantity induces a change in another, such as in mutual inductance between circuits.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an abstract, quantified property (like 'resistance' or 'capacitance'), not a tangible object. Used almost exclusively in electrical/electronic engineering and physics contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Spelling and usage are identical. Pronunciations may differ slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both varieties, appearing only in technical discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The inductance of [COMPONENT] is [VALUE][COMPONENT] has an inductance of [VALUE]to measure/calculate the inductanceinductance in henriesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used except in business contexts related to electrical component manufacturing or sales.
Academic
Core term in university-level physics and electrical engineering courses and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used by hobbyists (e.g., radio enthusiasts, electronics tinkerers).
Technical
Fundamental and frequent term in electrical engineering, circuit design, electromagnetism, and power systems documentation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The circuit was designed to induct a specific response. (Note: 'induct' is a different, rare verb; 'to inductance' does not exist.)
American English
- You cannot 'inductance' a coil; you design it for a specific inductance. (Illustrates lack of verb form.)
adverb
British English
- The coil reacted inductively to the current change. (Adverb is 'inductively'.)
American English
- The signal was coupled inductively between the two loops.
adjective
British English
- The inductive properties of the material were critical. (Note: 'inductive', not 'inductance', is the adjective.)
American English
- We observed an inductive effect in the circuit. (Adjective form is 'inductive'.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not applicable. This word is beyond A2 level.)
- (Rare at B1. Possible context:) In my physics class, we learned about electrical components like resistors and capacitors, and the teacher mentioned something called inductance.
- The inductance of a coil depends on the number of wire turns and the core material.
- To filter out high-frequency noise, you need a component with high inductance.
- Parasitic inductance in the circuit layout was causing unexpected voltage spikes during switching.
- The mutual inductance between the two transformer windings determines the efficiency of energy transfer.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of INDUCTANCE as IN-DUCT-ANCE. A DUCT guides flow. Inductance 'guides' or 'resists the flow' of changing electrical current, storing energy like water in a duct waiting to be released.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELECTRICAL INERTIA (Just as mass resists changes in motion (inertia), inductance resists changes in electrical current).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'индукция' (induction). 'Индуктивность' is the correct translation for 'inductance'. 'Индукция' is a broader process or phenomenon, while 'индуктивность' is the specific property.
- The unit 'henry' translates as 'генри' (genri).
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as 'in-DUCK-tance' (correct is 'in-DUCT-ance').
- Confusing 'inductance' (property) with 'inductor' (the physical component that possesses inductance).
- Using it as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'an inductance' is acceptable for a specific value, but 'inductances' is rare).
Practice
Quiz
What is the standard unit of measurement for inductance?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Inductance is the property or characteristic (like 'weight'). An inductor is the physical component (like an 'object') that is designed to have a specific inductance.
In theory, yes. A straight piece of wire has very low, but not zero, inductance. Special geometric designs (like a bifilar winding) can be used to minimise inductance, but perfect zero is a theoretical ideal.
In any circuit where current changes with time (AC circuits, switching circuits). It is crucial in the design of transformers, motors, filters, and radio frequency (RF) equipment.
Self-inductance (often just 'inductance') is the property of a single coil that opposes changes in its own current. Mutual inductance is a property between two separate coils, where a change in current in one coil induces a voltage in the other.