What does the term 'inductance' refer to?

Inductance refers to the property of an electrical component, typically a coil or inductor, to oppose changes in the current flowing through it. When the current through a coil changes, it creates a changing magnetic field around the coil. According to Lenz's Law, this change in magnetic field induces an electromotive force (EMF) in the coil that opposes the change in current. This phenomenon is what gives inductance its defining characteristic of resisting changes in current flow.

Other concepts like electrical conductivity, resistance, and voltage generation play vital roles in electrical systems but do not describe inductance. Conductivity refers to the ability of a material to allow electric current to pass through it, resistance measures how much a component opposes current flow, and voltage generation relates to electric fields or the conversion of other energy forms into electrical energy. None of these terms encapsulate the fundamental behavior of inductance, which specifically centers on the dynamic interaction between current and magnetic fields in coils.