Differences of Capacitor and Inductor
As we are comfortable with the basic concepts that are of capacitance and we are well on our way to understanding inductance. That is because these two phenomena are very similar to each other. They might be described as “equal but opposite” in nature:
A capacitor which generally emits energy in an electric field that is said to be an inductor that generally stores energy in a field that is known as the magnetic field.
When a capacitor is said to be generally connected to a source voltage, so we can say that its voltage gradually increases and its current decreases gradually. When an inductor is said to be connected to a source voltage and then its current gradually increases and its voltage gradually decreases.
Capacitor vs Inductor
With a capacitor the rate of charging and discharging is governed by the RC time constant.
If a circuit capacitive which is disconnected from a power supply then the capacitor will temporarily maintain the said voltage.
A basic inductor which is said to be simply a coiled wire which is we can say the following diagram conveys the way in which this structure which is said to be concentrated in the field that is of magnetic field lines.
One of the main differences which is the difference between a capacitor and an inductor is said to be that a capacitor opposes a change in voltage which is while an inductor opposes a change in the current. Furthermore we can say that the inductor stores energy in it in the form of a magnetic field and the capacitor that generally stores energy in the form of an electric field. In this article we will be learning more differences which is between capacitor and inductor.
Difference Between Inductance and Capacitance
The inductor and the capacitor are said to be both electrical components which are generally used to oppose changes in current in the electrical and electronic circuits. These components which we have talked about are passive elements which draw power from the store that is the circuit and then discharge. The applications which are of both components are said to be widely used in alternative current which is denoted as AC and also in signal filtering applications. In this article it is given an overview of what is a capacitor and then the inductor and differences that are the types and the uses and its characteristics.
The term capacitor is said to be an electrical component that is made up of two conductors alienated by an insulator. When a potential difference which is generally supplied to both the terminals is said to be an electric field which is formed and electric charges are stored. The information which is based on the characteristics that is the capacitor is widely used to build electronic circuits. As a dielectric substance that is of any non-conducting substance which can be used. But we can say that some of the preferred dielectric materials are said to be teflon and then the Mylar and porcelain, mica, and cellulose. A capacitor which is said to be defined by the based on the material which is said to be chosen like electrode or we can say the dielectric. The dielectric material which is mainly used to help in storing the energy which is the electrical energy. The value of the capacitor’s can be determined by the size of the terminals that it has and the distance which is between the two terminals and the kind of material used. We need to just take care of it so that we follow the link below to know more about what is used. The types of the capacitor and its applications also we can see in this article.
An inductor or coil or the choke which is said to be a two-terminal device that is used to build circuits of various types. The main function is that of an inductor that is used to store energy which is in a magnetic field. It is said to consist of a wire that is generally twisted into a coil. When a current which generally flows through this coil is then said to be a temporarily stores it in the coil. An absolute which is said to be an inductor which is said to be equivalent to a short circuit that is for direct current and grants an opposing force that is to alternating current that depends on the current’s frequency. The opposition which is to a flow current which is of an inductor is associated with the frequency that is of the flowing current through it. We can say that sometimes these devices are said to be indicated as the term which are “coils' ' because most of the inductors which are physical for the construction are designed with coiled sections of wire. We can say that follow the link below to know more about: that is we can say know all about Inductors and Inductance Calculation.
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Conductor vs Inductor
The Uses of Capacitor
The very high Voltage of the electrolytic capacitor is used in supplies of the power.
An electrolysis that is said to be axial Electrolytic capacitor is used in a lower voltage which is smaller in size for general-purpose which is where huge capacitance principles are needed.
The high voltage that is of the disk capacitor which is of the ceramic is a small in the size & the value that is of capacitance and excellent tolerance that is of characteristics.
The Metalized that is of the polypropylene capacitor is a small size for the values which is up to 2µF and good reliability.
The surface that is said to be a mount capacitor is relatively the capacitor which is high for size attained by several layers. In fact we can say that there are numerous capacitors in the parallel.
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The Uses of Inductor
The inductors that are generally said to be extensively used in AC applications like we can say that TV, radio, etc.
The Chokes – The main property which is of an inductor is used in the supply of power supply circuits that is where mains of the AC supply desires to be changed to a DC supply.
FAQs on Difference Between Capacitor and Inductor for JEE Main 2024
1. What is the primary difference between a capacitor and an inductor for JEE Main?
The primary difference lies in what they oppose in a circuit. A capacitor opposes changes in voltage across its terminals by storing energy in an electric field. In contrast, an inductor opposes changes in current flowing through it by storing energy in a magnetic field. This fundamental opposition dictates their unique roles in both DC and AC circuits.
2. How do capacitors and inductors behave differently in AC circuits from a JEE perspective?
In AC circuits, their behavior is frequency-dependent and opposite, which is a key concept for JEE problems:
- A capacitor's reactance (XC) is inversely proportional to frequency (XC = 1/ωC). It allows high-frequency signals to pass easily while blocking low-frequency signals.
- An inductor's reactance (XL) is directly proportional to frequency (XL = ωL). It blocks high-frequency signals while allowing low-frequency signals to pass easily.
- In terms of phase, the current leads the voltage by 90° in a purely capacitive circuit, while the voltage leads the current by 90° in a purely inductive circuit.
3. What are the most important formulas for capacitors and inductors for JEE Main 2026?
For JEE Main, aspirants must be proficient with the following formulas:
- Capacitor Formulas:
- Capacitance: C = Q/V
- Energy Stored: U = ½ CV² = Q²/2C
- Capacitive Reactance: XC = 1/(2πfC) = 1/ωC
- For a Parallel Plate Capacitor: C = (ε₀A)/d
- Inductor Formulas:
- Induced EMF: ε = -L(dI/dt)
- Energy Stored: U = ½ LI²
- Inductive Reactance: XL = 2πfL = ωL
- For a Solenoid: L = μ₀n²Al
4. Why are capacitors and inductors often considered 'dual' components in circuit theory?
Capacitors and inductors are considered 'duals' because their defining equations and circuit behaviors are symmetrically opposite. The roles of voltage (V) and current (I) are interchanged:
- For a capacitor, current is proportional to the rate of change of voltage: I = C(dV/dt).
- For an inductor, voltage is proportional to the rate of change of current: V = L(dI/dt).
This duality extends to their energy storage (electric field vs. magnetic field) and their combination rules in series and parallel circuits.
5. What is the conceptual difference between 'capacitance' and a 'capacitor' for JEE Physics?
This is a fundamental distinction often tested conceptually. A capacitor is the physical, two-terminal electronic component that is designed to store energy in an electric field. In contrast, capacitance (C) is the quantitative property or the measure of a capacitor's ability to store electric charge per unit of applied voltage. Essentially, a capacitor is the device, while capacitance is its specific capacity.
6. In DC circuits, how does an inductor behave at t=0 and at steady state (t→∞)?
This is a frequent concept tested in JEE problems involving transient circuits:
- At the exact moment a DC voltage is applied (t=0), an inductor resists the sudden change in current from zero. It acts like an open circuit, meaning no current flows through it initially.
- After a long time, the current becomes constant (dI/dt = 0). At this steady state (t→∞), the inductor's opposition to current change vanishes, and it behaves like a simple short circuit (a connecting wire with zero resistance).
7. How does introducing a resistor create the key difference between an RL and an RC circuit?
A resistor introduces a time-dependent element that governs the rate of change in the circuit, defined by the time constant (τ). The key difference is what this constant controls:
- In an RC circuit, the time constant is τ = RC. It dictates how quickly the voltage across the capacitor charges or discharges.
- In an RL circuit, the time constant is τ = L/R. It dictates how quickly the current through the inductor builds up or decays.
This distinction is crucial for solving transient analysis problems in JEE.
8. Are questions on capacitors and inductors important for JEE Main?
Yes, absolutely. Concepts related to capacitors and inductors are a high-weightage part of the JEE Main syllabus. They feature prominently in topics like Electrostatics, Current Electricity (RC circuits), Electromagnetic Induction (EMI), and especially Alternating Current (AC). Questions frequently test their behavior in DC and AC circuits, energy storage calculations, and their combined effect in LCR circuits and resonance, making them critical for a high score.
