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Q.Define self inductance. On which factor does it depend? Derive equations for back emf and energy stored in circuit.

Gujarat GsebGSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2026Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
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Self-inductance measures a coil's own opposition to a change in the current flowing through it (via the flux it itself creates); it depends purely on the coil's geometry (turns, area, length, core material) and gives rise to a back emf and a stored magnetic energy when current flows.

Definition: Self-inductance L of a coil is defined through the flux linkage (N Phi) produced by the coil's own current I flowing through it:

N Phi = L I, i.e. L = N Phi / I

It is a purely geometric/material property of the coil - it depends on the number of turns N, the cross-sectional area A, the length of the coil, and the permeability (mu) of the core material - and does NOT depend on the current or emf themselves.

Derivation of back emf: By Faraday's law, any change in the flux linkage induces an emf that (by Lenz's law) opposes the change:

epsilon = -d(N Phi)/dt = -d(L I)/dt = -L (dI/dt) (since L is constant for a given coil)

This epsilon is called the 'back emf' because it opposes the change in current (opposes an increasing current, and opposes a decreasing current from dropping) - this is why an inductor resists sudden changes in current.

Derivation of energy stored: The source must do work against this back emf to establish the current. The rate of work done (power delivered to the inductor) is:

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