The property that causes an electromotive force (voltage) to be induced in a circuit is called what?

The property that causes an electromotive force (voltage) to be induced in a circuit is called what?

• A. Capacitive reactance (capacitance)
• B. Inductive reactance (inductance)
• C. Resistance
• D. Conduction

Answer: (B)

Inductance. When current in a circuit changes, the magnetic field it creates also changes, and by Faraday’s law an electromotive force is induced in the circuit. This induced EMF acts to oppose the change in current, a behavior described by Lenz’s law. The amount of EMF produced is proportional to the rate of change of current and the inductance, with EMF = -L di/dt. Capacitive reactance involves energy stored in a capacitor, not the mechanism that induces voltage in the circuit, and resistance or conduction do not generate an EMF.

Inductance. When current in a circuit changes, the magnetic field it creates also changes, and by Faraday’s law an electromotive force is induced in the circuit. This induced EMF acts to oppose the change in current, a behavior described by Lenz’s law. The amount of EMF produced is proportional to the rate of change of current and the inductance, with EMF = -L di/dt. Capacitive reactance involves energy stored in a capacitor, not the mechanism that induces voltage in the circuit, and resistance or conduction do not generate an EMF.