What does inductance primarily cause in a circuit?

Inductance primarily causes an opposition to change in current flow in a circuit. This phenomenon occurs because an inductor stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it. When there is a change in current, the magnetic field changes as well, inducing a voltage that opposes this change according to Lenz's Law. This means that inductors resist sudden changes in current, making them essential in applications such as filters, transformers, and energy storage devices.

This characteristic of inductance influences how circuits behave with alternating current (AC) as well, where inductive reactance can significantly affect circuit performance by reducing the potential for rapid fluctuations in current. Understanding this property is crucial for designing and analyzing circuits that involve inductive components.