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Which of the following components should be added to an inductor to increase the inductance?

  1. An inductor in parallel

  2. A capacitor in series

  3. An inductor in series

  4. A resistor in parallel

The correct answer is: An inductor in series

To increase the inductance in a circuit, adding another inductor in series is an effective approach. When inductors are placed in series, their individual inductances simply add together. This results in a higher total inductance than that of any single inductor alone. The total inductance \(L_{total}\) for inductors in series can be calculated using the formula: \[ L_{total} = L_1 + L_2 + L_3 +... \] This additive property is beneficial in various applications, such as filtering and tuning circuits in amateur radio setups, where adjusting the inductance can help achieve desired frequencies or impedance levels. In contrast, adding an inductor in parallel would actually decrease the total inductance, as the effective inductance of inductors in parallel is calculated using a reciprocal formula similar to resistors. A capacitor in series does not increase inductance but creates an LC circuit, which may also have resonant properties but does not directly contribute to inductance increase. Similarly, a resistor in parallel would not increase inductance and could instead introduce unnecessary losses in the circuit. Thus, placing an inductor in series is the best approach for achieving a greater effective inductance.