Mutual inductance ($M$)

For two fixed linear coils, mutual inductance $M$ relates magnetic flux linkage in one coil to electric current in the other: ${\Lambda }_{21}=M{I}_1$. The induced electromotive force is ${\mathcal{E}}_2=-Md{I}_1/dt$ with consistent winding orientations. For reciprocal coils, $|M|=k\sqrt{L_1{L}_2}$, where $L_1,L_2$ are self-inductances and $0\le k\le 1$ measures magnetic coupling. Its SI unit is the henry.

An N-turn square coil of side a lies in the plane of a long straight wire, with nearest edge at perpendicular distance s and parallel to the wire. Integrating $B={\mu }_{0}I/(2\pi r)$ across the coil gives flux-linkage magnitude $\Lambda ={\mu }_{0}NaI\ln [(s+a)/s]/(2\pi )$. Its coefficient of I is the mutual inductance magnitude; its sign depends on the selected loop normal and current directions. Flux through one turn and N-turn flux linkage must be distinguished.

In a fixed square coil beside a long wire, neglect self-inductance compared with resistance. A changing wire current induces coil current proportional to $dI/dt$. Forces on the two perpendicular sides cancel, and the unequal parallel-side fields give magnitude ${\mu }_{0}Na|Ii|[1/s-1/(s+a)]/(2\pi )$. When $I=I_0\sin \omega t$, the signed force alternates at twice the drive frequency and has zero cycle mean, while Joule dissipation is positive with mean ${\mathcal{M}}^2{\omega }^2{I}_0^2/(2R)$. A fixed coil has no mechanical work despite its time-dependent force.

A resistive loop with self-inductance $L_r$ coupled by mutual inductance $M(z)$ to an imposed alternating current obeys $L_r{\dot{I}}_r+R{I}_r=-M{\dot{I}}_s$. For $I_s=I_0\cos \omega t$, averaging the magnetic force $I_s{I}_r{M}^{\prime }(z)$ gives $-I_0^2{\omega }^{2}M{L}_r{M}^{\prime }/[2(R^2+{\omega }^2{L}_r^2)]$. It is repulsive where $M{M}^{\prime }<0$. The self-inductance supplies the current component opposite to the source current; a purely resistive, zero-inductance loop has zero average force in this model.

Coupled inductors are inductors whose magnetic flux linkages depend on each other's electric currents. A two-circuit linear model uses two self-inductances and a mutual inductance.

An inductance matrix relates magnetic flux linkages to electric currents in a linear model of coupled inductors. For reciprocal two-coil coupling, $\mathbf{L}=\left(\begin{array}{cc}{L}_1& M\\ M& L_2\end{array}\right)$. Its stored magnetic energy is ${\mathbf{i}}^T\mathbf{Li}/2$. With $L_1,L_2>0$, it is a positive-definite matrix exactly when $M^2<L_1{L}_2$. Equality is a singular limiting model requiring separate treatment.