Do all objects have inductive properties?

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    Inductors
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the inductive properties of various materials, including whether all objects possess such properties, and if inductors exist naturally beyond traditional coiled wire configurations. The scope includes theoretical considerations and exploratory reasoning related to electrodynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether materials, plants, or animals can act as electric inductors, suggesting that inductors are typically associated with coiled wires.
  • Another participant proposes that any material capable of conducting electricity might be influenced by induction, though they express uncertainty.
  • A different participant asserts that any object supporting current in a closed loop would exhibit inductive reactance, indicating that a solid conductor is sufficient for this property.
  • Another contribution states that any object with a current flow has inductance, even without explicit closed loops, and mentions that straight antennas can possess inductance per unit length, along with considerations for insulators under certain conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the nature of inductive properties in different materials, with no consensus reached on whether all objects possess inductive properties or the specifics of those properties in non-traditional inductors.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of inductance and the conditions under which different materials exhibit inductive properties, particularly in relation to organic materials and insulators.

Apteronotus
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I'm not entirely sure if this post belongs here, but I guess the topic of electrodynamics is vast.

My question is; are there any materials / plants / animals that act as electric inductors? In other words, are inductors solely made up of coiled wires, or do they occur naturally?

To rephrase, all objects have some capacitive properties; so do they also have inductive properties.

Thanks in advance,
 
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My guess would be that any material that can conduct electricity can be influenced by induction.

But I'm not sure. Maybe you could Google something like "Induction in organic materials"
 
Last edited:
Anything that supported current moving in a closed loop would possesses inductive reactance. A solid conductor--no hole in the middle necessary--would suffice.
 
Hello everybody!

Any thing where a current can flow has an inductance. The object doesn't even need to show explicit nor implicit closed loops. A straight antenna, with current flowing in the long direction, has an inductance per unit length (as well as a capacitance). Something like 0.6µH/m, but more if you use several turns closely packed, or a ferromagnetic core.

This holds even for polarization currents, not only displacement currents. That is: for insulators as well, not only conductors - for a short time, or with AC currents.
 

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