Inductive Reactance and Bulb Brightness
This simulation demonstrates how inserting an iron rod into an inductor affects a light bulb's brightness in an AC circuit, as described in Example 7.5.
Bulb Brightness
Inductance (L)
0.1 H
Without iron core
Inductive Reactance (XL)
31.4 Ω
XL = 2πfL
Bulb Voltage
110 V
Vbulb = Vsource × (Rbulb/Z)
Inductor Voltage
110 V
VL = Vsource × (XL/Z)
Explanation (from Example 7.5):
When an iron rod is inserted into the inductor:
- The magnetic field inside the coil increases, magnetizing the iron
- This increases the inductance (L) of the coil
- The inductive reactance (XL = 2πfL) increases
- More voltage drops across the inductor, leaving less for the bulb
- As a result, the bulb's brightness decreases
Key parameters: AC source = 220V, 50Hz; Bulb resistance ≈ 31.4Ω (matched to initial XL)
