Inductance and AC Source: Why current?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of current in an inductive circuit connected to an AC source, particularly focusing on the implications of Kirchhoff's Law and Faraday's Law. Participants explore the conceptual understanding of inductance, current changes, and the relationship between voltage and current in the absence of ohmic resistance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why there is any current at all in an inductive circuit if the voltage across the inductor opposes the source voltage, as stated by Kirchhoff's Law.
  • Another participant suggests that the situation is analogous to a resistive circuit where voltage across the resistance equals the power supply, implying that current can still flow despite opposing voltages.
  • A different viewpoint posits that in the absence of ohmic resistance, even a small voltage difference can lead to large currents, with the inductor generating the necessary voltage for the current to flow.
  • It is noted that an inductor cannot have its current changed instantaneously; attempting to do so results in a significant voltage spike, illustrating the inductor's resistance to sudden changes in current.
  • Participants discuss the mechanical analogy of inductance, comparing it to a flywheel to illustrate the inertia of electrons in an inductor.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the physical reasoning behind the gradual change in current when a potential difference is applied, questioning the absence of immediate current change in the presence of resistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the behavior of current in inductive circuits, particularly regarding the instantaneous change of current and the implications of Kirchhoff's Law. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their understanding of the relationship between voltage, current, and inductance, particularly in the context of resistance and the application of Faraday's Law. There are unresolved questions about the physical mechanisms governing these behaviors.

BrunoIdeas
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Hello. I'm am studying topics related to inductances and Faraday's law and I'm having hard time at PICTURING situations. Mental representations.
So I propose an example of something I don't understand and we may go on from there.

Consider circuit consisting of an inductance and an AC source.
In texts it is said that voltage across the inductance must be opposite to voltage from the source due to Kirchoff's Law.
Question:
1) If that is so, why is there any current at all?

Second point is understanding causally in time an inductor.
Suppose a steady current in an inductor, and suddenly we increase it an infinitesimal di ( or a finite value if you wish), Faraday's Law saws there will be an induced current to oppose the change, supose -di. But now current has changed again, and so on.
I don't understand even what I don't understand.

Thanks to everyone in advance.
 
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Consider circuit consisting of an inductance and an AC source.
In texts it is said that voltage across the inductance must be opposite to voltage from the source due to Kirchoff's Law.
Question:
1) If that is so, why is there any current at all?


I know what you mean.

But then, in a simple resistance circuit, the voltage across the resistance is equal to the power supply, so one could ask the same question as to why is there any current at all. Maybe that helps you overcome the difficulty.
 
BrunoIdeas said:
Consider circuit consisting of an inductance and an AC source.
In texts it is said that voltage across the inductance must be opposite to voltage from the source due to Kirchoff's Law.
Question:
1) If that is so, why is there any current at all?
Since there is no ohmic resistance in the circuit, an infinitesimal difference in voltages is capable of creating arbitrary large currents. The inductor produces the voltage which is just right for the given amount of current to flow.

BrunoIdeas said:
Suppose a steady current in an inductor, and suddenly we increase it an infinitesimal di ( or a finite value if you wish), Faraday's Law saws there will be an induced current to oppose the change, supose -di. But now current has changed again, and so on.
With inductor, you cannot suddenly change the current. If you try, for example by breaking the circuit, you will get this huge voltage spike across the inductor. You can instantaneously change the voltage to whatever you like and the current will gradually build up.

(with capacitors, the situation is opposite: you cannot instantaneously change the voltage of a capacitor. If you try you'll get arbitrary large currents. But you can control the current and the voltage will follow).

A good mental picture is to imagine electrons in the inductor having significant inertia. Mechanical analog of inductance is a flywheel.
 
Delta Kilo said:
S
With inductor, you cannot suddenly change the current. If you try, for example by breaking the circuit, you will get this huge voltage spike across the inductor. You can instantaneously change the voltage to whatever you like and the current will gradually build up.


A good mental picture is to imagine electrons in the inductor having significant inertia. Mechanical analog of inductance is a flywheel.

Hello! Two months later I re read your answer and at least I'm having a better feeling.
However, maybe it is a stupid question:
I can accept from Faraday's law that if flux changes from zero to some value in time t, by time t there will be a voltage induced.
But what is the physical reason that implies current will not change immediately too. A potential difference has been applied and if the loop has resistance R then V=IR, I see no transitory.

Thank you!
 

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