Inductance stores energy in what kind of fields?

Inductance stores energy in what kind of fields?

• A. Electrostatic Fields
• B. Magnetic Fields
• C. Gravitational Fields
• D. Electromagnetic Fields

Answer: (D)

Inductors store energy in the magnetic field created by current flowing through the winding. The energy stored is (1/2)LI^2, which comes from the magnetic energy density B^2/(2μ0) integrated around the coil. Since the magnetic field is a part of the electromagnetic field, the stored energy belongs to electromagnetic fields. Electrostatic fields pertain to capacitors, while gravitational fields relate to mechanical energy, so magnetic (and thus electromagnetic) fields are the correct description for inductance.

Inductors store energy in the magnetic field created by current flowing through the winding. The energy stored is (1/2)LI^2, which comes from the magnetic energy density B^2/(2μ0) integrated around the coil. Since the magnetic field is a part of the electromagnetic field, the stored energy belongs to electromagnetic fields. Electrostatic fields pertain to capacitors, while gravitational fields relate to mechanical energy, so magnetic (and thus electromagnetic) fields are the correct description for inductance.