Questions about finding Inductance

These questions touch on many subjects you need to know for quiz 1. They are
combinations of things you need to know for questions 2, 3 and 4. You may see some
overlap of subjects like these on quiz 1.

Fall 2004
2) Inductance Measurement (19 points)

The RLC circuit below consists of an inductor, a capacitor and a resistor. The input is
measured at point A and the output at point B.

a) Find the transfer function, H(jω), at point B. Determine the value of the function, the
magnitude and the phase at high and low frequencies.

(2 pts) H(jω) =

(1 pt) Hlo (jω)= (1 pt) Hhi(jω) =

(1 pt) | Hlo | = (1 pt) | H hi | =

(1 pt) ∠Hlo = (1 pt) ∠ Hhi =

b) Also calculate the value of |H(jω)| at the resonant frequency, ω0. (2 points)

| H0 | =
c) Calculate the theoretical inductance if your coil has a coin shape. Note this coil has an
air core with a diameter of 3 cm. It has 50 turns and is built from 28 gauge wire. The
diameter of 28 gauge wire is 0.32 mm and µ0 = 4π x 10-7 H/m. (3 points)

d) If the measured value of your capacitor is 0.691 µF and the measured value of your
resistor is 1004 ohms, estimate the value of the resonant frequency for this circuit in
Hertz. (3 points)

e) Based on your results from the previous parts of this question, sketch the AC sweep of
the output of this circuit at point B from very low to very high frequencies. Clearly mark
the resonant frequency in Hertz. (3 points)
Fall 2004 Solution
2) Inductance Measurement (19 points)

The RLC circuit below consists of an inductor, a capacitor and a resistor. The input is
measured at point A and the output at point B.

a) Find the transfer function, H(jω), at point B. Determine the value of the function, the
magnitude and the phase at high and low frequencies.

(2 pts) H(jω) = [(1/jωLC)+jωL]/[R+(1/jωLC)+jωL]

= [1-ω2LC]/[jωRC+1-ω2LC]

(1 pt) Hlo(jω) = 1 (1 pt) Hhi(jω) = -ω2LC/-ω2LC = 1

(1 pt) | Hlo | = 1 (1 pt) | Hhi | = 1

(1 pt) ∠Hlo = 0 rad (1 pt) ∠Hhi = 0 rad

b) Also calculate the value of |H(jω)| at the resonant frequency, ω0. (2 points)

H0 = [1-(1/√(LC))2LC]/[j(1/√(LC))RC+1-(1/√(LC))2LC]
=[0]/[j(RC/(√(LC))]=0

| H0 | = 0

c) Calculate the theoretical inductance if your coil has a coin shape. Note this coil has an
air core with a diameter of 3 cm. It has 50 turns and is built from 28 gauge wire. The
diameter of 28 gauge wire is 0.32 mm and µ0 = 4π x 10-7 H/m. (3 points)

L = µ0N2rc[ln(8rc/rw)-2] rc = 1.5cm = 0.015 meters rw =.16mm = 0.00016 meters

L = (4π)(50)2(.015)[ln(8(.015)/(.00016)) -2 ]x10-7 = 2.18x103x10-7

L = 2.18x10-4 H = 0.218mH
d) If the measured value of your capacitor is 0.691 µF and the measured value of your
resistor is 1004 ohms, estimate the value of the resonant frequency for this circuit in
Hertz. (3 points)

f0 = 1/(2π√(LC)) = 1/(2π√(0.218m*.691µ)) = 12.967K Hz ≈ 13K Hz

e) Based on your results from the previous parts of this question, sketch |H| of this circuit
at point B from very low to very high frequencies. Clearly mark the resonant frequency
in Hertz. (3 points)
Spring 2004 Note: OP-AMPS ( TRIANGLE SHAPED COMPONENT) WILL BE
COVERED ON THE NEXT EXAM, HOWEVER THE CONTENT HERE (ASIDE
FROM THE ACTUAL CIRCUIT) IS RELEVANT TO QUIZ 1.
1. Inductance/Transformers (25 points)

In a variation of the inductance measurement experiment we did recently, a student

decides to combine the configuration with an op-amp to see if things work better. The
following circuit is built:
R1 L1

10
(Unknown)
C1

1uF

V2

7
U1
3 9Vdc 5

V+
R3 R2 + OS2
6
OUT
50 100
2 1

V-
V - OS1 V

V1 uA741
VOFF = 0 V3

4
VAMPL = .1 R4
FREQ = 1k
9Vdc 1Meg

(Scope)

a. Capacitor C1 is varied until a distinctive response is obtained that can be used to find
the unknown inductance. The four values of capacitance tried were 1uF, .1uF, .01uF,
.001uF, producing the four plots that follow. Identify the value of capacitance used for
each plot. (1 point each) and find the unknown inductance for each plot. (2 points each)
Note: The bump on some of the plots is caused by the unusual decision to use an op amp
in the circuit. The resonant frequency is at the leftmost bump on all plots. [Total=12
points]
80mV

60mV

40mV

20mV

0V
1.0KHz 3.0KHz 10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz 100MHz
V(R3:2) V(C1:2)
Frequency

Capacitance:

Inductance:
80mV

60mV

40mV

20mV

0V
1.0KHz 3.0KHz 10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz 100MHz
V(R3:2) V(C1:2)
Frequency

Capacitance:

Inductance:

600mV

500mV

400mV

300mV

200mV

100mV

0V
1.0KHz 3.0KHz 10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz 100MHz
V(R3:2) V(C1:2)
Frequency

Capacitance:

Inductance:
 800mV

600mV

400mV

200mV

0V
1.0KHz 3.0KHz 10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz 100MHz
V(R3:2) V(C1:2)
Frequency

Capacitance:

Inductance:

b. The resistance shown in series with the inductor is the resistance of the inductor coil.
Assuming the student works in our classroom, how would he or she have measured this
resistance? (3 points)

c. If the particular application where the inductor is to be used requires a smaller

resistance, a new inductor would have to be found or made. If you were to make an
inductor with nearly identical inductance, but with much less resistance, how would you
do it? Explain your reasoning. (3 points)
Spring 2004 solution Note: OP-AMPS ( TRIANGLE SHAPED COMPONENT)
WILL BE COVERED ON THE NEXT EXAM, HOWEVER THE CONTENT HERE
(ASIDE FROM THE ACTUAL CIRCUIT) IS RELEVANT TO QUIZ 1.

1. Inductance/Transformers (25 points)

In a variation of the inductance measurement experiment we did recently, a student

decides to combine the configuration with an op-amp to see if things work better. The
following circuit is built:
R1 L1

10
(Unknown)
C1

1uF

V2

7
U1
3 9Vdc 5

V+
R3 R2 + OS2
6
OUT
50 100
2 1

V-
V - OS1 V

V1 uA741
VOFF = 0 V3
4

VAMPL = .1 R4
FREQ = 1k
9Vdc 1Meg

(Scope)

(Part a for Test A)

a. Capacitor C1 is varied until a distinctive response is obtained that can be used to find
the unknown inductance. The four values of capacitance tried were 1uF, .1uF, .01uF, and
.001uF, producing the four plots that follow. Identify the value of capacitance used for
each plot. (1 point each) and find the unknown inductance for each plot. (2 points each)
Note: The bump on some of the plots is caused by the unusual decision to use an op amp
in the circuit. The resonant frequency is at the leftmost bump on all plots. [Total=12
points]
80mV

60mV

40mV

20mV

0V
1.0KHz 3.0KHz 10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz 100MHz
V(R3:2) V(C1:2)
Frequency

f0=10(4.2)=15849 Hz ω0=2πf0=99582 rad/sec

Capacitance: 1uF (lowest resonant frequency means highest capacitance)
Inductance: L=1/[(ω02)(C)]=1/9916.5 L=0.1 mH (for all cases)

80mV

60mV

40mV

20mV

0V
1.0KHz 3.0KHz 10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz 100MHz
V(R3:2) V(C1:2)
Frequency

f0=10(4.7)=50119 Hz ω0=2πf0=314905 rad/sec

Capacitance: 0.1uF
Inductance: L=1/[(ω02)(C)]=1/9916.5 L=0.1 mH (for all cases)
 600mV

500mV

400mV

300mV

200mV

100mV

0V
1.0KHz 3.0KHz 10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz 100MHz
V(R3:2) V(C1:2)
Frequency

f0=10(5.2)=158490 Hz ω0=2πf0=995817 rad/sec

Capacitance: 0.01uF
Inductance: L=1/[(ω02)(C)]=1/9916.5 L=0.1 mH (for all cases)

800mV

600mV

400mV

200mV

0V
1.0KHz 3.0KHz 10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz 100MHz
V(R3:2) V(C1:2)
Frequency

f0=10(5.7)=501187 Hz ω0=2πf0=3149052 rad/sec

Capacitance: 0.001uF (highest resonant frequency means lowest capacitance)
Inductance: L=1/[(ω02)(C)]=1/9916.5 L=0.1 mH (for all cases)

I interpreted these a bit creatively to get them to come out perfectly. If yours are within
an order of magnitude, the answers are good. Remember that the inductance changes at
different frequencies (especially high frequencies).
 b. The resistance shown in series with the inductor is the resistance of the inductor coil.
Assuming the student works in our classroom, how would he or she have measured this
resistance? (3 points)

1) Turn on the digital multimeter

2) Plug a dual banana connector between low and high for resistance
3) Connect a BNC cable to the dual banana connector
4) Connect a mini-grabber to the BNC cable
5) Connect the red and black leads of the mini-grabber cable together to measure
the resistance of the wires. (Let this be Rw).
6) Disconnect the two leads and connect one lead to each end of the inductor.
7) Measure the resistance of the inductor and cable. (Let this be Rw+L.)
8) Subtract the wire resistance from the measured resistance to get the resistance of
the inductor itself, RL. (RL = Rw+L - Rw )

(Answers may vary)

c. If the particular application where the inductor is to be used requires a smaller

resistance, a new inductor would have to be found or made. If you were to make an
inductor with nearly identical inductance, but with much less resistance, how would you
do it? Explain your reasoning. (3 points)

µN 2πrc2
The equation for inductance is L = , where µ is a constant, N is the number of
d
turns, rc is the coil radius and d is the coil diameter. My resistance equation tells me that
l l
R= = , where σ is a constant, and rw is the radius of the wire. Since the
σA σ (πrw2 )
inductance does not depend upon the radius of the wire itself and increasing this radius
decreases the resistance, I could easily create another coil of similar inductance and less
resistance by winding a thicker wire (with greater radius and lower resistance) of the
same material around the same core with the same length and the same number of turns.
Fall 2003
Question 2 – Measuring Inductance (20 points)

Given the following circuit and its AC sweep below:

a) Find the transfer function, H(jω), at point B. Determine the function and the
magnitude and the phase at high and low frequencies. (8 points)

(2 pts) H(jω) =

(1 pt) Hlo(jω) = (1 pt) Hhi(jω) =

(1 pt) | Hlo| = (1 pt) | Hhi| =

(1 pt) ∠Hlo = (1 pt) ∠ Hlo =

b) Based on your results from part a), indicate on the plot the trace for the magnitude of
the voltage at point B (2 points).

c) Find the resonant frequency f0 from the plot. Notice that the x-axis has logarithmic
scale. (ie. 100.5 = 3.16) (3 points)

d) Solve for the unknown inductance. (5 points)

e) Both of the resistances in this circuit are not physical resistors. They represent the
resistance of something else in the circuit. Assuming that these do not represent wire
resistance, what do they represent? (2 points)
Fall 2003 Solution
Question 2 – Measuring Inductance (20 points)

Given the following circuit and its AC sweep below:

a) Find the transfer function, H(jω), at point B. Determine the function and the
magnitude and the phase at high and low frequencies. (8 points)

(2 pts) H(jω) =
method 1: excluding R2
H(jω)=[R1+jωL1]/[R1+jωL1+1/jωC1]
H(jω)=[jωR1C1-ω2L1C1]/[jωR1C1--ω2L1C1+1]
method 2: including R2
H(jω)=[R1+jωL1]/[R2+R1+jωL1+1/jωC1]
H(jω)=[jωR1C1-ω2L1C1]/[jω(R1+R2)C1--ω2L1C1+1]
either is ok

(1 pt) Hlo(jω) = jωR1C1 (1 pt) Hhi(jω) = 1

(1 pt) | Hlo | = 0 (1 pt) | Hhi | = 1

(1 pt) ∠Hlo = π/2 (1 pt) ∠Hhi = 0

b) Based on your results from part a), indicate on the plot the trace for the magnitude of
the voltage at point B (2 points).

c) Find the resonant frequency f0 from the plot. Notice that the x-axis has logarithmic
scale. (ie. 100.5 = 3.16) (3 points)

f0=10EE(5.7)=501,187 f0=500K Hz (answers may vary)

d) Solve for the unknown inductance. (5 points)

f0=1/[2πsqrt(L1C1)] L1=1/[C1(2πf0)2]
L1=1/(0.01EE-6)(πEE+6)2=1/[0.0987EE+6]=10.1EE-6
L1 = 10 uF (answers may vary)

e) Both of the resistances in this circuit are not physical resistors. They represent the
resistance of something else in the circuit. Assuming that these do not represent wire
resistance, what do they represent? (2 points)

The resistor R2 is the 50 ohm impedance of the function generator.

The resistor R1 is the resistance in the wire of the inductor, L1.
Spring 2003
2) Inductance Calculation and Measurement (30 points)

You have found an inductor and wish to determine its inductance. Here is a picture:

You find that it has a wire gauge diameter of 0.51 mm (24 gauge), a length of 14.5 mm, a
core diameter of 5.0 mm and 27 turns. You assume that it has an air core (µ = 1.257 x
10-6 Henries/meter).

a) Calculate the theoretical inductance of the inductor. (5 pts)

b) You wish to verify that the core is indeed air, so you place the inductor into the circuit
you used in experiment 9.
[ Note: R1 = 50 ohms, R2 = 50 ohms, C1 = 0.68uF, and L1 is your inductor.]

You generate the three plots on the following page.

i) Label the three circuits. Which one is at the resonance frequency? below the
resonance frequency? above the resonance frequency? (6 pts)

ii) Label the input (point A) and the output (point B) on the plot at resonance on the
following page. (4 pts)

Show work here:

 200mV

0V

-200mV
100us 120us 140us 160us 180us
V(R3:2) V(C2:2)
Time

200mV

0V

-200mV
100us 110us 120us 130us 140us
V(R3:2) V(C2:2)
Time

200mV

0V

-200mV
100us 110us 120us 130us 140us
V(R3:2) V(C2:2)
Time

iii) Given the above plots, calculate the resonance frequency, ωo, of your circuit.(3 pts)

iv) According to the frequency in iii), what is your inductance? (3 pts)

 iv) Given your calculations in part a), calculate the theoretical resonance frequency,
ωo, of your circuit. (3 pts)

c) Does the inductance equation overestimate or underestimate inductance? Is your

guess that the core is probably made of air correct? Why or why not? (6 pts)
Spring 2003 solution
2) Inductance Calculation and Measurement (30 points)

You have found an inductor and wish to determine its inductance. Here is a picture:

You find that it has a wire gauge diameter of 0.51 mm (24 gauge), a length of 14.5 mm, a
core diameter of 5.0 mm and 27 turns. You assume that it has an air core (µ = 1.257 x
10-6 Henries/meter).

a) Calculate the theoretical inductance of the inductor. (5 pts)

L = [µN2πr2/d] d=14.5x10-3 m r=2.5x10-3 m

L = [1.257x10-6 x 729 x π x 6.25x10-6]/(14.5x10-3) = 1.24x10-6 H

L = 1.24 µH

b) You wish to verify that the core is indeed air, so you place the inductor into the circuit
you used in experiment 9.
[ Note: R1 = 50 ohms, R2 = 50 ohms, C1 = 0.68uF, and L1 is your inductor.]

You generate the three plots on the following page.

i) Label the three circuits. Which one is at the resonance frequency? below the
resonance frequency? above the resonance frequency? (6 pts)

ii) Label the input (point A) and the output (point B) on the plot at resonance on the
following page. (4 pts)

Show work here:

 200mV

0V

-200mV
100us 120us 140us 160us 180us
V(R3:2) V(C2:2)
Time
f = 12cycles/80µs =0.15 Meg Hz = 1500K Hz BELOW RESONANCE
200mV

0V

-200mV
100us 110us 120us 130us 140us
V(R3:2) V(C2:2)
Time
f = 8cycles/40µs =0.2 Meg Hz = 2000K Hz ABOVE RESONANCE
200mV

0V

-200mV
100us 110us 120us 130us 140us
V(R3:2) V(C2:2)
Time
f = 5 cycles/(136.3-108)µs = .1767Meg Hz = 1767K Hz AT RESONANCE

iii) Given the above plots, calculate the resonance frequency, ωo, of your circuit.(3 pts)

ωo = 2πfo = 2 x π x 1767K= 1110.1K rad/sec ωo=1.11 Meg rad/sec

 iv) According to the frequency in iii), what is your inductance? (3 pts)

ωo=1/sqrt(LC) L = 1/C(ωo)2 = 1/(1110K)2(0.68x10-6) = 1.193x10-6 H

L = 1.193 µH

iv) Given your calculations in part a), calculate the theoretical resonance frequency,
ωo, of your circuit. (3 pts)

ωo=1/sqrt(LC) ωo=1/sqrt(1.24x10-6x0.68x10-6) ωo = 1.089 Meg rad/sec

c) Does the inductance equation overestimate or underestimate inductance? Is your

guess that the core is probably made of air correct? Why or why not? (6 pts)

The equation should overestimate the inductance, as stated in experiment 9.

From the two inductances we found here, we have verified that this is true.
1.24µH>1.19µH

The values 1.24µH and 1.19µH are not exactly alike, but they are very close.
The core must be air. If we had used something besides air (like iron, for
example) they would be different by several orders of magnitude.
 Fall 2002
2. Inductance Measurement (20 points)

In the circuit below, Vin = 200mV, R1 = 300Ω, C1 = 0.05µF and L1 is unknown.

a) If you perform AC Sweep of the voltages at points A and B, illustrate both traces in
the space below where the resonance frequency fo is 40 kHz (please label the traces A
and B, respectively). 6 points

Voltage

200 mV

0
fo Frequency

b) Explain why the two traces behave at very low and very high frequencies the way you
illustrated above, respectively. You can explain in details using either transfer
function of the circuit or open/short approximation for capacitor and inductance. (6
points)
c) Solve for the unknown inductance from information obtained from the figure above. (6
points)

d) Discuss how the figure would be different if the locations of the capacitor and inductor
in the circuit are switched. (2 points)
Fall 2002 Solution

(none available)
Spring 2002
2) Inductance Measurement (20 points)

In the circuit below, Vin = 200mv, R2 = 300Ω, C1 = 0.05µF and L1 is unknown.

Plot I: Displays an AC sweep of the voltage at points A and B.

Pot II: Displays an AC sweep of the phase at points A and B.

a) Find the transfer function, H(jω), at point B. Determine the value of the function, the
magnitude and the phase at hi and low frequencies.

(2 pts) H(jω) =

(1 pt) Hlo(jω) = (1 pt) Hhi(jω) =

(1 pt) | Hlo | = (1 pt) | Hhi | =

(1 pt) ∠Hlo = (1 pt) ∠Hhi =

b) Based on your results from part a), indicate on plot I the trace for the magnitude of the
voltage at point B (2 pts).

c) Based on your results from part a), indicate on plot II the trace for the phase at point B
(2 pts).

d) Find the resonance frequency f0 from the plot. Notice that the x-axis has logarithmic
scale. (ie. 100.5 = 3.16) (2 pts)

e) Solve for the unknown inductance. (6 pts)

Spring 2002 solution
2) Inductance Measurement (20 points)

a) Find the transfer function, H(jω), at point B. Determine the value of the function, the
magnitude and the phase at hi and low frequencies.

(2 pts) H(jω) = [1/jωC1] / [R1+ jωL3 + 1/jωC1]

H(jω) = 1 / [jωR1C1 + 1-ω2L3C1]

(1 pt) Hlo(jω) = 1 (1 pt) Hhi(jω) = -1/ω2L3C1

(1 pt) | Hlo | = 1 (1 pt) | Hhi | = 0

(1 pt) ∠Hlo = 0 (positive real) (1 pt) ∠Hhi = π (negative real)

b) Based on your results from part a), indicate on plot I the trace for the magnitude of the
voltage at point B (2 pts).
The trace should be high at low frequencies and 0 at high frequencies.
The red upside down triangle trace from +200mV at 1KHz to 0 at 10MHz

c) Based on your results from part a), indicate on plot II the trace for the phase at point B
(2 pts).
The trace should be 0 at low frequencies and 180 (or -180) at high frequencies.
The upside down triangle trace from 0d at 1KHz to -180d at 10MHz.

d) Find the resonance frequency f0 from the plot. Notice that the x-axis has logarithmic
scale. (ie. 100.5 = 3.16) (2 pts)

Look at the place on plot I where the resonance goes to zero.

Note: 10KHz = 10 x 104 and 100KHz = 10 x 105
(Note: the middle (dotted) line is at about 3.16 x 104 Hz)
The resonance is about 60% between 10 x 104 and 10 x 105
This means the resonance is at 10(0.60) x 104 or at 3.98 x 104 Hz
f0 = 40KHz (Note that I rounded here because my ability to read the graph is limited and
so I figure it is about here.)

e) Solve for the unknown inductance. (6 pts)

ω0 = 2 πf0 = 1/sqrt(L3C1) Î L3 = 1/[C1*(2π f0)2]

0.5u*[2(3.14)(40K)] 2 = 1/L3
L3 = 32u Henries
Fall 2001 Solution
Fall 2000
2. Inductance Measurement
The following circuit is constructed using an unknown inductor, a known capacitor, a
known resistor and a function generator.
R1 C1

50
47uF
L1
V1

0
The following plot is obtained for the voltages at the indicated points in the circuit.
100d

0d

SEL>>
-100d
P(V(R1:2))
1.0V

0.5V

0V
10Hz 100Hz 1.0KHz 10KHz 100KHz
V(V1:+) V(R1:2) V(C1:2)
Frequency

Determine the value of the unknown inductance.

The top trace shows a shift in phase at f = 300Hz for the voltage between the resistor and
the inductor. Why does this happen?
Fall 2000 Solution
(none available)