An inductor is an electrical component that stores and releases energy in the form of a magnetic field. It is typically made of a coiled wire and is a fundamental element in many electronic circuits.
When an electric current flows through an inductor, it creates a magnetic field around the coil. This magnetic field stores energy, which is then released when the current is interrupted or changes direction.
Inductance is the property of an inductor that determines how much energy can be stored in its magnetic field. A higher inductance value means more energy can be stored, and vice versa.
When the current in an inductor is turned off, the magnetic field collapses, and the energy is released back into the circuit. This can cause a temporary voltage spike, which can potentially damage other components in the circuit.
The energy stored in an inductor can be used in a variety of applications, such as in power supplies to smooth out voltage fluctuations or in electronic circuits to create oscillations. It can also be used in transformers to transfer energy between different circuits with different voltage levels.