Physics Project File
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Mayo College, Ajmer
PROJECT REPORT
ON
THE STUDY OF THE FACTORS ON
WHICH THE SELF-INDUCTNACE OF A
COIL DEPENDS
Submitted for AISSCE 2026
By
Name: Raghav Khandelwal
Class: XII A
Scholar No: 3968
Subject: Physics
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Certificate of Excellence
This is to certify that Raghav Khandelwal of
Class XII-A of Mayo College, Ajmer has
successfully completed the Physics project
titled “To study the factors on which the
internal resistance/EMF of a cell depends”
under my supervision. The project is in
accordance with the CBSE guidelines.
(Physics Teacher) Date:
(External Examiner)
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Acknowledgment
I hereby take this opportunity to thank all the
people who helped me in completion of the
project, without whose support this would
have been an impossible task for me. All the
teachers and my friends were always ready to
help me in solving dillicult problems.
I would like to thank our Principal, Mr Saurav
Sinha for encouraging me from time to time
and for providing me all the facilities and
resources needed to carry out my project.
I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to
Mr. Nishant Lal Singh Bist, my Physics teacher
who always gave valuable suggestions and
guidance for completion of the project. He
heiped me to understand and remember
important details of the project. My project
has been a success only because of his
guidance.
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AIM OF PROJECT
To study the factors on which the self-
inductance of a coil depends by observing
the effect of the coil, when put in series
with a resistor/bulb in a circuit fed by an
A.C. source of adjustable frequency.
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INTRODUCTION
Self-inductance is an important property of
electrical coils that plays a significant role
in A.C. circuits and many electrical devices
used in daily life. The behavior of a coil in
an alternating current circuit depends on
various factors such as its construction
and the frequency of the A.C. supply. By
observing the effect of a coil connected in
series with a resistor or a bulb, changes in
current can be easily detected through
variations in brightness or meter readings.
This investigatory project aims to study the
factors affecting the self-inductance of a
coil by analyzing its effect in an A.C. circuit
of adjustable frequency in a simple and
qualitative manner.
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THEORY
When an alternating current flows through a coil, the
current continuously changes in magnitude and
direction. Due to this changing current, a changing
magnetic flux is produced through the coil. According to
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, a changing
magnetic flux induces an emf in the coil.
The induced emf always opposes the change in current
(Lenz’s law). This opposing emf is called self-induced
emf.
Self-inductance (L) of a coil is defined as the ratio of the
magnetic flux linked with the coil to the current
producing it: L = NΦ / I
The self-inductance of a coil depends on:
∝
1. Number of turns of the coil (L N²)
2. Area of cross-section of the coil
3. Length of the coil
4. Nature of the core material (air, soft iron, etc.)
In an A.C. circuit, the opposition offered by the coil to
the flow of current is called inductive reactance:
XL = 2πfL
where f is the frequency of the A.C. source. As
frequency increases, inductive reactance increases,
reducing the current in the circuit.
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APPARATUS REQUIRED
A.C. source of adjustable frequency
Inductor coil (with air core / soft iron core)
A.C. ammeter (0–1 A or suitable range)
Rheostat
Resistor or electric bulb (low power)
Plug key
Connecting wires
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PROCEDURE FOLLOWED
[Link] up the circuit by connecting the A.C.
source, plug key, A.C. ammeter, inductor coil,
rheostat, and resistor or bulb in series as shown
in the circuit diagram.
[Link] that all connections are tight and
correct before switching on the supply.
[Link] the frequency of the A.C. source at a
minimum value and close the plug key.
[Link] the ammeter reading or observe the
brightness of the bulb.
[Link] the frequency of the A.C. source
gradually while keeping the applied voltage
constant.
[Link] and record the change in ammeter
reading or the brightness of the bulb for each
change in frequency.
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[Link] the inductor coil with another coil
having a different number of turns or a
different core material and repeat the above
steps.
[Link] the observations for different
frequencies and different coils to study the
factors affecting the self-inductance of the
coil.
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Observation
Frequency of A.C. Brightness of
S. No. Current (A) Remark
(Hz) Bulb
Low inductive
1 20 High Very bright
reactance
2 40 Moderately high Bright Reactance increases
Normal operating
3 60 Moderate Medium
range
High inductive
4 80 Low Dim
reactance
5 100 Very low Very dim Maximum opposition
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RESULT
It is observed that as the frequency of the A.C.
supply increases, the current in the circuit
decreases, which is indicated by a reduction in
ammeter reading or dimming of the bulb. Coils
with a greater number of turns or with a soft
iron core offer more opposition to the flow of
alternating current. Hence, the self-inductance
of a coil depends on the frequency of the A.C.
supply, number of turns of the coil, and the
nature of the core material.
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PRECAUTION
[Link] electrical connections should be tight
and made properly.
[Link] A.C. source should be switched on only
after checking the circuit.
[Link] of the A.C. supply should be
increased gradually.
[Link] applied voltage should be kept
constant during the experiment.
[Link] A.C. ammeter of suitable range should
be used.
[Link] current should not be allowed to
flow through the circuit to avoid heating.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
[Link] Physics Class XII Textbook
[Link]
[Link]
[Link] Physics Laboratory Manual
[Link] 5.2
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