Why is the electric field inside an ideal inductor zero?

In summary, the conversation discusses the application of Faraday's law in a circuit with R, L, and C in series. It is mentioned that Ohm's law can be used to show that the voltage across an ideal inductor is zero, but there is confusion about how this can be true if the formula for voltage (VL) is ∫E*dl and E is not zero. The expert explains that ∫E*dl is not the correct equation to use and that the voltage across an inductor is not dependent on linear length. They also clarify the relationships between current density, current, conductivity, electric field, voltage, and resistance in an inductor. Finally, there is a mention of Faraday's law and
  • #1
anhnha
181
1
This is really not a homework, just need help to understand some concepts.

In a circuit includes R, L, C in series, we apply Faraday's law:
I*R + Q/C + 0 = - dψ/dt
Here VL = ∫E*dl across the inductor is zero. I know this because the inductor has no resistance and according to Omh's law VL = 0. But if we consider the formula VL = ∫E*dl how can you know that E = 0?
I mean that is there any way to explain the electric field between two ends of inductor is zero.
If so, E = 0 how electrons move from one end to the other end of inductor?
 
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  • #2
Inductance opposes change in current through it. Once the current reaches a steady value, and holds to that value, it is not changing so there is no voltage across the inductor (save for that necessary to overcome its wire's resistance). Current flows because there is nothing to oppose it (in an ideal inductor).

Until the current reaches a steady level (this is determined in part by the rest of the circuit), there will need to be a voltage applied to the inductor to make its current change. That voltage = L. di/dit

So if you want the current to increase linearly with time, di/dt = constant and this will happen if you hold a constant voltage across the inductor's terminals. Obviously, this can't go on forever, and eventually if you try to remove the voltage source (making it into open circuit) there will be a huge spark because L.di/dt is a very large negative value.
 
  • #3
Thanks for the reply.
Let me express my question more detail.
The formula for voltage between two points A and B is:
VAB = integral from A to B of E*dl = ∫E*dl
Now I want to apply the formula for ideal inductor:
VL = ∫E*dl
But according to Ohm's law, I can also write:
VL = I*R = I* 0 = 0V
From that I infer E = 0 along the inductor.
But I wonder if there are others way to know that E = 0.
 
  • #4
∫E*dl is not the equation to use, because the voltage across an inductor is not dependent on linear length

I*R can be used to give that component of the total voltage due to resistance

L. di/dit gives the voltage due to inductance, and that's what you are after
 
  • #5
anhnha said:
Thanks for the reply.
Let me express my question more detail.
The formula for voltage between two points A and B is:
VAB = integral from A to B of E*dl = ∫E*dl
Now I want to apply the formula for ideal inductor:
VL = ∫E*dl
But according to Ohm's law, I can also write:
VL = I*R = I* 0 = 0V
From that I infer E = 0 along the inductor.
But I wonder if there are others way to know that E = 0.

Are you assuming dc voltage V? Looks like you are since you say V = R*I = I*0.

In which case there is dc current through the inductor and even though the voltage across it is zero there is an electric field E in the inductor:
j = σ E , j = current density vector, A/m^2, and σ = conductivity, S-m.
 
  • #6
Are you assuming dc voltage V? Looks like you are since you say V = R*I = I*0.

In which case there is dc current through the inductor and even though the voltage across it is zero there is an electric field E in the inductor:
j = σ E , j = current density vector, A/m^2, and σ = conductivity, S-m.
Yes, I am considering DC.
Voltage across the inductor is zero, VL = ∫E*dl = 0 but E ≠ 0 then to me it contradicts each other.
How the equation ∫E*dl = 0 possible if E ≠ 0?
 
  • #7
∫E*dl is not the equation to use, because the voltage across an inductor is not dependent on linear length

I*R can be used to give that component of the total voltage due to resistance

L. di/dit gives the voltage due to inductance, and that's what you are after
I am applying Faraday's law for a circuit including R, L, C and a battery V.
Integral in closed loop = -dψ/dt
or:
I*R + Q/C + ∫E*dl (across the inductor) = -dψ/dt
In this case ∫E*dl = 0
Now I don't know how this equation ∫E*dl = 0 possible while E ≠ 0.
 
  • #8
anhnha said:
Yes, I am considering DC.
Voltage across the inductor is zero, VL = ∫E*dl = 0 but E ≠ 0 then to me it contradicts each other.
How the equation ∫E*dl = 0 possible if E ≠ 0?

Your inductor has finite resistance. Therefore the voltage across it is not zero.

Here are the relationships:

j = current density, A/m^2
i = current, A
σ = wire conductivity, S-m
E = electric field, V/m
V = voltage across inductor, V = ∫E dL
R = resistance of inductor = L/Aσ, ohms
A = wire cross-sectional area, m^2
L = length of wire, m

We have
j = σE = i/A
σ = L/AR
E = V/L
Therefore i/A = (L/AR)(V/L)
i = (L/R)E = V/R which you will recognize as Ohm's law.

The only way for your inductor to have zero E and therefore zero V across it is if it was superconducting, where σ → ∞.
 
  • #9
anhnha said:
I am applying Faraday's law for a circuit including R, L, C and a battery V.
Integral in closed loop = -dψ/dt
or:
I*R + Q/C + ∫E*dl (across the inductor) = -dψ/dt
In this case ∫E*dl = 0
Now I don't know how this equation ∫E*dl = 0 possible while E ≠ 0.

Where did you get this equation, which you call Faraday's law, from?
Faraday's law relates induced emf to rate of change of flux linkage.
 
  • #11
anhnha said:
Please the video at 02:17 :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwUgYBzdcrM
I don't know why electric field inside inductor is zero.

It's not zero, but the instructor considers the resistance of the inductor to be zero, so as I said, if you consider R = 0 then there is no E field. But in reality all wiring at room temperature has finite resistance so there is always some electric field.
 
  • #12
Can you explain why the electric field inside an ideal inductor is zero? And if it is zero, what cause electrons move through it?
 
  • #13
anhnha said:
Can you explain why the electric field inside an ideal inductor is zero? And if it is zero, what cause electrons move through it?

I did that in my previous post. I said if the resistance is zero then the E field is also zero. A superconducting coil would have zero resistance and zero E field. But at room temperature superconductivity has not (yet) been realized so in actuality every inductor has a finite resistance and therefore E field proportional to applied voltage. I am talking dc here.

I am not qualified to describe the motion of charge in a superconductor. Maybe somebody else on this forum can ...
 

1. What is the relationship between voltage and inductor in a circuit?

The voltage across an inductor is directly proportional to the rate of change of current through the inductor. This means that as the current through the inductor changes, the voltage across it will also change.

2. How does the voltage across an inductor behave in a DC circuit?

In a DC circuit, the voltage across an inductor will initially be zero, but will gradually increase as the current through it increases. Once the current reaches a steady state, the voltage across the inductor will also reach a steady state value.

3. What happens to the voltage across an inductor in an AC circuit?

In an AC circuit, the voltage across an inductor will continuously change as the current alternates direction. The voltage will be at its maximum when the current is at its maximum, and will be at its minimum when the current is at its minimum.

4. How does the inductance of an inductor affect the voltage across it?

The inductance of an inductor is a measure of its ability to store energy in the form of a magnetic field. A higher inductance will result in a larger voltage across the inductor for a given rate of change of current.

5. Can the voltage across an inductor ever be negative?

Yes, the voltage across an inductor can be negative. This occurs when the rate of change of current is decreasing, causing the voltage to be in the opposite direction of the current flow. However, the total energy stored in the inductor will always be positive.

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