Unit 6: Inductance

Big Ideas:
1. Magnetic flux is associated with magnetic field being "captured" by conducting loop.
2. Changes in magnetic flux cause induced currents.
3. Inductance is a measure of the circuit loop's resistance to change in the current.
4. A circuit containing inductors and capacitors exhibits behavior that changes with time.
5. Maxwell's Equations completely describe electromagnetic phenomena. 

Learner Objectives (as published by the College Board):
1. Students should understand the concept of inductance, so they can:
A. Calculate the magnitude and sense of the emf in an inductor through which a specified changing current is flowing.
B. Derive and apply the expression for the self-inductance of a long solenoid.

2. Students should understand the transient and steady state behavior of DC circuits containing resistors and inductors, so they can:
A. Apply Kirchhoff's rules to a simple LR series circuit to obtain a differential equation for the current as a function of time.
B. Solve the differential equation obtained in A for the current as a function of time through the battery, using separation of variables.
C. Calculate the initial transient currents and final steady state currents through any part of a simple series and parallel circuit containing an inductor and one or more resistors.
D. Sketch graphs of the current through or voltage across the resistors or inductor in a simple series and parallel circuit.
E. Calculate the rate of change of current in the inductor as a function of time.
F. Calculate the energy stored in an inductor that has a steady current flowing through it.

3. Students should be familiar with Maxwell’s equations so they can associate each equation with its implications.