Self Induction And Back Emf
The current flowing through a coil of self-inductance 0.6 henry is reduced steadily from 10 amperes to 4 amperes over a time interval of 0.3 seconds. What is the magnitude of the self-induced emf in the coil?
Select the correct option:
🔒 Solution Hidden from View
Submit your answer to unlock the detailed step-by-step solution.
More electromagnetic induction and alternating currents Practice Questions
In a purely capacitive alternating current circuit connected to an oscillating source, what is the a...
In a purely capacitive alternating current circuit connected to an oscillating source, what is the a...
An alternating current circuit draws an rms current of 5 amperes from a 200 volt rms supply, and the...
An alternating current circuit draws an rms current of 5 amperes from a 200 volt rms supply, and the...
When an alternating voltage is applied across a pure resistor, what is the phase relationship betwee...
When an alternating voltage is applied across a pure resistor, what is the phase relationship betwee...
A current of 4 amperes flows steadily through a coil having a self-inductance of 0.5 henry. How much...
A current of 4 amperes flows steadily through a coil having a self-inductance of 0.5 henry. How much...
A rectangular armature coil of an AC generator has 100 turns and area 0.05 square metres, rotating a...
A rectangular armature coil of an AC generator has 100 turns and area 0.05 square metres, rotating a...
A series circuit contains a resistor of 30 ohm and an inductor whose inductive reactance is 40 ohm, ...
A series circuit contains a resistor of 30 ohm and an inductor whose inductive reactance is 40 ohm, ...
In the design of transformer cores and electromagnetic braking systems, why are the metallic cores c...
In the design of transformer cores and electromagnetic braking systems, why are the metallic cores c...
A series LCR circuit at resonance has an inductive reactance of 500 ohm and a resistance of 25 ohm. ...
A series LCR circuit at resonance has an inductive reactance of 500 ohm and a resistance of 25 ohm. ...
A charged capacitor of 2 microfarads is connected across an ideal inductor of 8 millihenry to form a...
A charged capacitor of 2 microfarads is connected across an ideal inductor of 8 millihenry to form a...
In an AC circuit, a capacitor of capacitance 25 microfarads is connected to a source whose frequency...
In an AC circuit, a capacitor of capacitance 25 microfarads is connected to a source whose frequency...
A series LCR circuit contains an inductor of 2 henry and a capacitor of 8 microfarads along with a r...
A series LCR circuit contains an inductor of 2 henry and a capacitor of 8 microfarads along with a r...
An ideal step-down transformer has 1000 turns in its primary winding and 200 turns in its secondary ...
An ideal step-down transformer has 1000 turns in its primary winding and 200 turns in its secondary ...
Browse all electromagnetic induction and alternating currents questions →
About This Question
- Subject
- physics
- Chapter
- electromagnetic induction and alternating currents
- Topic
- self induction and back emf
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
12 V
As stated in NCERT Class 12, Chapter 6 (Electromagnetic Induction), a changing current in a coil induces a self-emf given by ε=−LdtdI, which by Lenz's law opposes the change in current that produces it. The magnitude of the rate of change of current is dtdI=0.310−4=0.36=20 A/s. Therefore ∣ε∣=LdtdI=0.6×20=12 V. The option 20 V mistakenly reports only the rate of current change without multiplying by inductance. The option 6 V uses the raw current change of 6 A without dividing by time or multiplying by L properly. The option 36 V multiplies by an incorrect factor. A plausibility check confirms units: H×A/s=(V\cdotps/A)×(A/s)=V. Because the current is decreasing, the induced emf acts to maintain the current, illustrating the coil's opposition to any change in its own flux. This directional behaviour is a direct consequence of Lenz's law: had the current instead been increasing, the self-induced emf would have opposed the rise, always resisting whatever change is imposed. It is important to recognise that the induced emf depends on the rate of change of current and not on the instantaneous value of the current itself, so a large steady current produces no self-emf at all. This property is why inductors are used to smooth fluctuating currents and to protect circuits from sudden surges, since they inherently resist rapid changes and thereby stabilise the flow of charge in the circuit.
This medium difficulty physics question is from the chapter electromagnetic induction and alternating currents, covering the topic of self induction and back emf. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
Looking for more practice? Explore all physics questions or browse electromagnetic induction and alternating currents questions on RankGuru.