MAHARISHI VIDYA MANDHIR SENIOR SECONDARY

SCHOOL
IRUNKATTUKOTTAI

PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO AISSE EXAMINATION

2024-25

To study the factor on which the self inductance of a coil

UNDER THE GUIDENCE OF

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Submitted By :

Class :

REG No :

Certified bonafide project done in PHYSICS

by _____________________, [Link]: __________________,

AISSCE March ________ during the academic year_________.

Examiners:

1. ………………… Master in Charge

2. ………………… Head of Institution

INTRODUCTION
Inductance is the tendency of an electrical conductor to oppose a change in
the electric current flowing through it. L is used to represent the inductance,
and Henry is the SI unit of inductance. 1 Henry is defined as the amount of
inductance required to produce an emf of 1 volt in a conductor when the
current change in the conductor is at the rate of 1 Ampere per second.

An electric current flowing through a conductor creates a magnetic field

around it. The strength of the field depends upon the magnitude of the
current. The generated magnetic field follows any changes in the current,
and from Faraday’s law of induction, we know that changing the magnetic
field induces an electromotive force in the conductor. Considering this
principle, inductance is defined as the ratio of the induced voltage to the rate
of change of current causing it. The electronic component designed to add
inductance to a circuit is an inductor.
 What Is an Inductor?

An inductor is a passive component that is used in most power electronic

circuits to store energy in the form of magnetic energy when electricity is
applied to it. One of the key properties of an inductor is that it impedes or
opposes any change in the amount of current flowing through it. Whenever
the current across the inductor changes, it either acquires charge or loses
the charge in order to equalize the current passing through it. The inductor is
also called a choke, a reactor or just a coil.
An inductor is described by its distinctive nature of inductance, which is
defined as the ratio of the voltage to the rate of change of current.
Inductance is a result of the induced magnetic field on the coil. It is also
determined by several factors, such as

 The shape of the coil.

 The number of turns and layers of the wire.
 The space that is given between the turns.
 Permeability of the core material.
 The size of the core.

The SI unit of inductance is henry (H), and when we measure magnetic

circuits, it is equivalent to weber/ampere. It is denoted by the symbol L.

Moreover, an inductor is totally different from a capacitor. In the case of a

capacitor, it stores energy as electrical energy, but as mentioned above, an
inductor stores energy in the form of magnetic energy. One key feature of
the inductor is that it also changes its polarity while discharging. In this way,
polarity during discharging can be made opposite to the polarity during
charging. The polarity of the induced voltage is well explained by Lenz’s law.

Construction of an Inductor

If we look at the construction of an inductor, it usually consists of a coil of

conducting material (widely used ones include insulated copper wire) that is
wrapped around a core that is made up of plastic material or ferromagnetic
material. One advantage of using a ferromagnetic core is that it has high
permeability, which helps in increasing the magnetic field and, at the same
time, confining it closely to the inductor. Ultimately this results in higher
inductance.

On the other hand, inductors with low frequency are usually constructed like
transformers. They have cores made up of electrical steel that is laminated
to help prevent eddy currents. ‘Soft’ ferrites are also widely used for cores
above audio frequencies.

Inductors come in many shapes and types. In some inductors, you will find
an adjustable core that allows changing the inductance. Inductors that are
used in blocking very high frequencies are mostly made by stringing a ferrite
bead on a wire.

Planar inductors are made using a planar core, while small-value inductors
are built on integrated circuits using the processes of making interconnects.
Typically, an aluminium interconnect is used and fixed in a spiral coil pattern.
However, small dimensions have some limitations. They restrict the
inductance.

There are also shielded inductors which are commonly used in power
regulation systems, lighting, and other systems requiring low-noise operating
conditions. These inductors are often partially or fully shielded.

Different Types of Inductors

Depending on the type of material used, inductors can be classified as

follows:

1. Iron Core Inductor

2. Air Core Inductor
3. Iron Powder Inductor
4. Ferrite Core Inductor, which is divided into:

 Soft Ferrite
 Hard Ferrite

Iron Core Inductor

As the name suggests, the core of this type of inductor is made of iron.
These inductors are low-space inductors that have high power and high
inductance value. However, they are limited in high-frequency capacity.
These inductors are used in audio equipment.
Air Core Inductor

These inductors are used when the amount of inductance required is low.
Since there is no core, it does not have a core loss. But the number of turns
the inductor must have is more for this type when compared to the inductors
with the core. This results in a high-quality factor. Usually, ceramic inductors
are often referred to as air-core inductors.
Iron Powder Inductor

In this type of inductor, the core is iron oxide. They are formed by very fine
and insulating particles of pure iron powder. High magnetic flux can be
stored in it due to the air gap. The permeability of the core of this type of
inductor is very less and is usually below 100. They are mainly used in
switching power supplies.

Ferrite Core Inductor

In this type of inductor, ferrite materials are used as the core. The general
composition of ferrites is XFe2O4, where X represents transition material.
Ferrites can be classified into two types: soft ferrites and hard ferrites.
  Soft Ferrite: These are materials that have the ability to reverse their
polarity without any external energy.
 Hard Ferrite: These are permanent magnets, that is, their polarity will
not change even when the magnetic field is removed.

Choke

A choke is a type of inductor that is used mainly for blocking high-frequency

alternating current (AC) in an electrical circuit. On the other hand, it will
allow DC or low-frequency signals to pass. As the function of this inductor is
to restrict the changes in current, it is called a choke. This inductor consists
of a coil of insulated wire wound on a magnetic core. The main difference
between chokes and other inductors is that they do not require high Q factor
construction techniques, which aim to reduce the resistance in inductors
found in tuned circuits.
Functions of an Inductor

Inductors can be used for two primary functions:

1. To control signals.
2. To store energy.

Controlling Signals

Coils in an inductor can be used to store energy. The function of the inductor
depends upon the frequency of the current passing through it. That is, higher
frequency signals will be passed less easily and vice versa. This function tells
that it blocks AC Current and passes DC Current. Hence, it can be used to
block AC signals.

Inductors can be used along with capacitors to form LC filters.

Storing Energy

Inductor stores energy in the form of magnetic energy. Coils can store
electrical energy in the form of magnetic energy, using the property that an
electric current flowing through a coil produces a magnetic field, which in
turn, produces an electric current. In other words, coils offer a means of
storing energy on the basis of inductivity.

Factors Affecting Inductance

Following factors affect the inductance in a circuit:

 Number of Wire Turns in the Coil

Inductance is greater when the number of turns of wire in the coil is
greater. More coils of wires indicate a greater amount of magnetic field
force for a given amount of coil current.
 Coil Area
Inductance is proportional to the coil area. Greater the coil area, the
greater the inductance. Greater coil area presents less opposition to
the formation of magnetic field flux for a given amount of field force
 Core Material
The greater the magnetic permeability of the core to which the coil is
 wrapped around, the greater the inductance.
 Coil Length
The longer the coil’s length, the lesser the inductance. The shorter the
coil’s length, the greater the inductance.

Types of Inductance

Inductance is classified into two types as:

 Self Inductance
 Mutual Inductance

What is Self Inductance?

When there is a change in the current or magnetic flux of the coil,

an electromotive force is induced. This phenomenon is termed Self
Inductance. When the current starts flowing through the coil at any instant, it
is found that, that the magnetic flux becomes directly proportional to the
current passing through the circuit. The relation is given as:

ϕ=L×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,

e=–dϕdt=–d(LI)dt

e=–LdIdt

Self-inductance Formula
We can derive an expression for the self-inductance of a coil from Faraday’s
law of electromagnetic induction.

VL = −N (dϕ / dt)

Where:

VL = induced voltage in volts

N = number of turns in the coil

dφ / dt = rate of change of magnetic flux in webers / second

Alternatively, the induced voltage in an inductor may also be expressed in

terms of the inductance (in henries) and the rate of change of current.

VL = −L (di / dt)

Or

E = −L (di / dt)

Self-inductance of a Solenoid
We will understand the concept with the help of an example. We will take a
solenoid having N turns; let its length be ‘l’, and the area of the cross-section
be ‘A’, where current I is flowing through it. There will be a magnetic field ‘B’
at any given point in the solenoid. Therefore, the magnetic flux per turn will
be equal to B × area of each turn.

However, B = (μ0NI)/l

Therefore, magnetic flux per turn = (μ0NIA)/l

Now, the total magnetic flux (φ) that is connected with the solenoid will be
given by the product of flux present through every turn and the total number
of turns.

Φ = (μ0NIA) x N /l

That is, Φ = (μ0N2IA) /l ….(eq 1)

If L is the self-inductance of the solenoid, then

Φ = LI …..(eq 2)
Combining the equations (1) and (2) from above, we get

L = (μ0N2A) /l

If you have a core that is made up of a magnetic material of permeability μ,

then

L = (μN2A) /l

Mechanical Equivalent of Self-inductance

The self-induced emf is also called the back emf as it opposes any change in
the current in a circuit. Physically, self-inductance acts as inertia. In
mechanics, it is also the electromagnetic analogue of mass. So, work needs
to be done against the back emf (VL) in establishing the current. This work
done is stored as magnetic potential energy and is given by:

W = (1 / 2) LI2.

This is the energy required to build up a current I in the inductor.

This expression reminds us of mv 2 /2 for the (mechanical) kinetic energy of

a particle of mass m and shows that L is analogous to m (i.e., L is electrical
inertia and opposes both the growth and decay of current in a circuit)

Uses of Self Inductance

The major function of an inductor is to store electrical energy in the form of a
magnetic field. Inductors are used in the following:

 Tuning circuits
 Sensors
 Store energy in a device
 Induction motors
 Transformers
 Filters
 Chokes
 Ferrite beads
 Inductors used as relays

Limitations of Inductors

1) An inductor is limited in its current-carrying capacity by its resistance and

dissipates heat.

2) Inductors in pure form are difficult to manufacture due to stray effects and
size, whereas capacitors are relatively easy to manufacture with negligible
stray effects.

3) Inductors may affect the nearby components in the circuit with their
magnetic fields.
To study the factor on which the self inductance of a coil depends by
observing the effect of this coil, when put in series with a resistor (bulb)
in a circuit fed up by an A.C. source of adjustable frequency.

APPARATUS:-

A coil of large turns, a.c. source of adjustable frequency, an electrical

bulb, (6V) a.c. ammeter of suitable range rheostat, a soft iron rod, one
way key, connecting wires etc.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:-

PROCEDURE:-

1. Make all connections as shown in the circuit

diagram.

2. Switch on the a.c. supply & adjust the current in the

circuit by using the variable resistor
3. Record the current in a.c. ammeter & see the
brightness of bulb.

4. Now, put the soft iron rod inside the conductor core
& record the current in a.c. ammeter & again check
the brightness of bulb. The current & brightness both
decreases.

5. Now, switch off the supply & decrease the frequency of

a.c. source (say 50 Hz).
6. Again switch on the supply & adjust the current in circuit
at same constant voltage 6V by using the rheostat. Note
the current in ammeter & brightness of bulb. The current &
brightness both will increase.

7. Again insert the iron rod in the core of coil & note the
current & brightness. The current & brightness both
decreases.

8. Repeat the steps 5, 6 and 7 for different frequency

of a.c. source.
 OBSERVATIONS:-

1. Least count of ammeter = 0.05 A.

2. Zero error of ammeter = 0 A.

3. Range of ammeter = 0 – 5 A.

[Link].
[Link] Frequency of applied Current in Current in
voltage ammeter ammeter with iron r
(Hz) in
without iron rod in coil (A)
coil (A)

1. 60 2 1.8

2. 50 2.5 2.3

3. 40 2.9 2.6

4. 30 3.4 3.25

5. 20 4.1 4
RESULT:-

1. The current in the circuit decrease on inserting the

iron rod in the core of coil at constant frequency of
applied voltage & brightness of bulb decreases & vice-
versa.
2. The current in the circuit increases on decreasing the
frequency of applied voltage & vice-versa. Therefore, the
brightness of bulb increases.

PRECAUTIONS:-

1. The coil should have large number of turns.

2. Current should be passed for a small time to avoid the

heating effect.

SOURCES OF ERRORS:-

1. The resistance of circuit may increase slightly

due to heating effect of current.

2. There may be eddy current in soft iron coil.