What property of an inductor opposes changes in current?

• A. Resistance
• B. Capacitance
• C. Inductance
• D. Impedance

Answer: (C)

Inductance is the property of an inductor that specifically opposes changes in current. When the current flowing through an inductor changes, it generates a magnetic field that attempts to maintain the current at its previous level. This phenomenon is rooted in Lenz's Law, which states that the direction of the induced electromotive force (EMF) caused by the change in current will always act to oppose that change.

In contrast, resistance refers to the opposition to current flow but does not specifically deal with changes in current; it is a fixed value for a given material. Capacitance relates to a capacitor's ability to store electrical energy in an electric field and does not directly relate to inductors or changes in current. Impedance is a broader concept that includes both resistance and reactance (which encompasses inductance and capacitance); however, it does not solely represent the property of opposing changes in current as inductance does. Therefore, inductance is the correct answer as it distinctly characterizes how inductors behave in response to changing currents.