Can someone explain how inductors work, and the difference between RLC, RC, and LC circuits and the purpose of each?

Question

4n1m0s1ty · Answer

Inductors are another basic circuit component like resistors and capacitors. Like a capacitor, an inductor stores electrical energy in a magnetic field. As for the RLC, RC, and LC circuit, the differences between them are in the way they are built and respond. RLC circuits are made of resistors, inductors and capacitors, thus their name "RLC". You can guess what RC and LC circuits are. Each of these circuit have unique responses (we typically divide these responses into transient and steady-state). You can see those equations here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RLC_circuit#Transient_response http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RC_circuit#Natural_response http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LC_circuit#Time_domain_solution As for the purpose for each, it depends on what application you are referring to. These circuits are involved in many different applications. RLC circuits for example are used in creating signal filters, which are present in almost every single type of electronic device you see today! Hope this helps, not sure what kind of detail you were looking for, but I just gave a general overview on the topic.

anonymous · Answer

Thanks so much for responding - do you know if an inductor is part of a parallel circuit, if it will block current flow past it for that branch?

4n1m0s1ty · Answer

Capacitors are the ones that block current when in parallel, inductors act as a free wire. However, this only is the case in a steady-state situation. In the transient response, both pass current through.

anonymous · Answer

And the time domain situation? The class I'm in only utilizes the time domain case mentioned above (underdamping).

4n1m0s1ty · Answer

In the transient response it depends on what circuit you are referring to. This section of the wikipedia article talks about it pretty well for a RLC circuit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RLC_circuit#Underdamped_response Is this a introductory circuits course?

anonymous · Answer

This is a Physics Electricity and Magnetism course for university