The Ohmic Resistance Of An Ideal Inductor Is

An ideal inductor is a theoretical component that has an inductance value without any resistive or capacitive losses. However, in reality, all inductors have some level of resistance associated with them, known as ohmic resistance. In this essay, we will explain the concept of ohmic resistance in an ideal inductor and its significance in electronic circuits.

An inductor is a passive electronic component that stores energy in a magnetic field when current flows through it. It consists of a coil of conductive wire that offers opposition to changes in current flow in the circuit. The inductance value of an inductor depends on various parameters such as the number of turns, the material used, and the core's shape and size. The inductance of an ideal inductor is strictly proportional to the number of turns and the area enclosed by a coil, as per Faraday's law.

However, in real inductors, there is always some level of resistance present. This resistance is referred to as ohmic resistance, and it is caused by the resistance of the wire used to make the coil. Ohmic resistance is a type of resistance that arises due to the material's physical properties in the conductor. As current flows through the wire, it encounters resistance that lowers the current's magnitude and produces heat.

The ohmic resistance of an inductor has some noteworthy effects on its behavior in electronic circuits. When a dc voltage is applied to an inductor, a current starts to flow through the coil. Initially, the current will be zero, but it will increase linearly over time as the magnetic field builds up. However, as the current increases, the energy lost to the resistance in the coil also increases, leading to a voltage drop across the inductor.

This voltage drop is given by Ohm's Law, which states that the voltage drop across a resistor is proportional to the current flowing through it and the resistance of the resistor. In the case of an inductor, the voltage drop is proportional to the rate of change of the current through the coil. This means that the voltage and current are not perfectly in phase, which is the case in an ideal inductor.

The phase difference between the current and voltage in an inductor is due to the energy stored in the magnetic field. When the current is rising, the energy is stored in the field, and the voltage across the coil is positive. Conversely, when the current is falling, the magnetic field collapses, producing an emf that is opposed to the current's direction. This emf results in a negative voltage across the coil.

The ohmic resistance of an inductor also affects the inductor's response to ac signals. When an ac signal is applied to an inductor, the current in the coil will vary sinusoidally. However, as the signal frequency increases, the inductor's reactance, given by XL=2πfL, also increases, leading to a decrease in the current amplitude.

At some frequency, the reactance of the inductor will be equal to its resistance, leading to a phenomenon called resonance. At resonance, the inductor's impedance is purely resistive, and the voltage and current are in phase. This effect can be exploited in electronic circuits to build resonant filters and oscillators.

The ohmic resistance of an inductor also places a limit on the amount of current that can flow through the coil without saturating the magnetic field. When an inductor reaches its saturation current, the magnetic field cannot increase further, leading to a decrease in the inductance value. Saturated inductors have a much lower inductance value, which can cause electronic circuits to malfunction.

In conclusion, the ohmic resistance of an ideal inductor is due to the resistance of the wire used to make the coil. This resistance affects the inductor's behavior in electronic circuits, causing a voltage drop across the coil, a phase difference between the current and voltage, and a limit on the current that can flow through the coil. The ohmic resistance can be minimized by using wire with lower resistance, but it can never be eliminated entirely. This knowledge is essential for electronic engineers when designing circuits that use inductors, and it ensures that the inductor's behavior is well understood to optimize its operation.