Inductors

Ask your students to identify what condition(s) might lead to a condition of saturation. And, even if the extreme ends of the B−H curve are avoided, what does the nonlinear shape of the B−H plot indicate about the linearity of an inductor? The inductance formula (e = L[di/dt]) assumes perfect linearity, but is this really true for an inductor whose core exhibits this kind of magnetic flux/force relationship?

The purpose of this question is to get students to kinesthetically interact with the subject matter. It may seem silly to have students engage in a “show and tell” exercise, but I have found that activities such as this greatly help some students. For those learners who are kinesthetic in nature, it is a great help to actually touch real components while they’re learning about their function. Of course, this question also provides an excellent opportunity for them to practice interpreting component markings, use a multimeter, access datasheets, etc.