Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-b-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2010/paper-1/section-a/1/solution
Past exam of the physics B course of the University of Cambridge 2010 Paper 1 Section A 1 Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-20
For a fixed linear circuit, self-inductance relates the magnetic flux linkage produced by its own current to that current: , with . The self-induced electromotive force is when is constant. Its unit is the henry, .
mutual inductance relates the linkage in one circuit to current in another: and . For stationary reciprocal linear media, with consistently oriented turns, and . Orientation fixes the sign. The coupled magnetic energy is , so positivity requires . Moving coils or nonlinear cores require differentiation of the full linkage rather than treating the inductance as a constant.
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