a) An inductor is an electronic component that stores electrical energy in the form of a magnetic field. It consists of a coil of wire wound around a core made of ferromagnetic material.
b) Inductors are used in various electrical and electronic circuits. They are typically used to control the flow of current, filter out certain frequencies, store energy, and generate magnetic fields. They are commonly found in power supplies, transformers, motors, generators, and electronic filters.
c) When an inductor is connected to a voltage source, such as a battery, the current through the inductor starts to increase gradually. This is because the inductor resists changes in current flow and opposes the increase in current.
d) When the voltage across an inductor is suddenly removed or reduced, the magnetic field collapses. This change in magnetic field induces a voltage in the opposite direction, causing the current to gradually decrease over time. This is known as the discharge state of an inductor.
e) During the discharge state, the polarity of the current across an inductor remains the same as it was during the charging state. However, the magnitude of the current decreases over time.
f) At t=0, when a voltage is suddenly applied to an inductor, the current across the inductor is zero. Since an inductor resists changes in current, it takes some time for the current to build up.
g) At t=0, the voltage across an inductor is equal to the applied voltage. This is because there is no change in current initially, and the inductor behaves like a short circuit.
h) At t-infinity (or when the circuit reaches steady-state), the voltage across the inductor is zero. This is because the inductor has fully charged and no longer opposes the flow of current.
i) At t-infinity, the current across an inductor is constant and is determined by the resistance and applied voltage in the circuit.
j) The time constant of a series RL circuit is defined as the time it takes for the current in the circuit to reach approximately 63.2% (1 - 1/e) of its final steady-state value. It is calculated as the ratio of the inductance (L) to the resistance (R) in the circuit.
k) The time constant is significant because it determines the rate at which the current in the circuit reaches its steady-state value. It provides information about the circuit's response to changes in voltage or current.
l) The settling time of an RL circuit refers to the time it takes for the current to settle within a certain tolerance range of the final steady-state value. It depends on factors such as the time constant, the applied voltage, and the resistance of the circuit.
m) The significance of settling time lies in understanding the circuit's behavior and performance. It helps determine how quickly the circuit can respond to changes and stabilize, providing useful information for designing and analyzing circuits.
