inductance
n
1 (Also called)
induction the property of an electric circuit as a result of which an electromotive force is created by a change of current in the same circuit (see self-inductance) or in a neighbouring circuit (see mutual inductance). It is usually measured in henries., (Symbol)
L
2 (Also called)
inductor a component, such as a coil, in an electrical circuit, the main function of which is to produce inductance
induction
n
1 the act of inducting or state of being inducted
3 (in an internal-combustion engine) the part of the action of a piston by which mixed air and fuel are drawn from the carburettor to the cylinder
a a process of reasoning, used esp. in science, by which a general conclusion is drawn from a set of premises, based mainly on experience or experimental evidence. The conclusion goes beyond the information contained in the premises, and does not follow necessarily from them. Thus an inductive argument may be highly probable, yet lead from true premises to a false conclusion
b a conclusion reached by this process of reasoning
Compare →
deduction →
4
5 the process by which electrical or magnetic properties are transferred, without physical contact, from one circuit or body to another
See also →
inductance
6 (Biology) the effect of one tissue, esp. an embryonic tissue, on the development of an adjacent tissue
7 (Biochem) the process by which synthesis of an enzyme is stimulated by the presence of its substrate
a a method of proving a proposition that all integers have a property, by first proving that 1 has the property and then that if the integer n has it so has n + 1
b the application of recursive rules
a a formal introduction or entry into an office or position
b (as modifier)
induction course, induction period
10 (U.S.) the formal enlistment of a civilian into military service
11 an archaic word for →
preface
♦
inductional adj
induction coil
n a transformer for producing a high voltage from a low voltage. It consists of a cylindrical primary winding of few turns, a concentric secondary winding of many turns, and often a common soft-iron core, (Sometimes shortened to)
coil
induction hardening
n a process in which the outer surface of a metal component is rapidly heated by means of induced eddy currents. After rapid cooling the resulting phase transformations produce a hard wear-resistant skin
induction heating
n the heating of a conducting material as a result of the electric currents induced in it by an externally applied alternating magnetic field
induction loop system
n a system enabling partially deaf people to hear dialogue and sound in theatres, cinemas, etc., consisting of a loop of wire placed round the perimeter of a designated area. This emits an electromagnetic signal which is picked up by a hearing aid, (Often shortened to)
induction loop
induction motor
n a type of brushless electric motor in which an alternating supply fed to the windings of the stator creates a magnetic field that induces a current in the windings of the rotor. Rotation of the rotor results from the interaction of the magnetic field created by the rotor current with the field of the stator
magnetic induction
n another name for →
magnetic flux density
mutual induction
n the production of an electromotive force in a circuit by a current change in a second circuit magnetically linked to the first
See also →
mutual inductance
Compare →
self-induction
self-induction
n the production of an electromotive force in a circuit when the magnetic flux linked with the circuit changes as a result of a change in current in the same circuit
See also →
self-inductance
Compare →
mutual induction
♦
self-inductive adj