Difference between resistor and inductor

The resistor and inductor are two of the most fundamental concept in electronics. These two ideas play a vital role in almost every electronic device we use today. We all know that resistor is the ability to resist the flow of electric current through it while in the inductor is a type of coil that stores energy in the form of magnetic flux. Let us have a deep insight into the comparison between a resistor and an inductor. 

Definition of Resistor

As we know that the resistor is an electrical and electronic component that reduces the electric current. The restore is ability to reduce the current is called the resistance and is measured in the unit of ohms. The ratio is represented in ohm law. 

R = V / I

Definition of Inductor

The inductor is a type of coil that stores energy in the form of magnetic flux. When an electric current is passed through a coil, voltage is developed across the coil due to changes in the magnetic field.

The main key difference between resistor and inductor

• The resistor mainly opposes the flow of current, While Inductor mainly opposes the changes in current flowing through it.
• The resistor cannot store electrical energy, Inductor can store electrical energy in the form of a magnetic field.
• Resistor produces electrical power loss, but Inductor does not produce electrical power loss.
• The resistor can produce heat, the inductor can not produce heat.
• The resistor doe not have any reactance property, the inductor has inductive reactance property.
• Resistance is the opposition of flow of the current of the resistor that does not depend upon the applied frequency, while the capacitor is opposite of the flow of the current of an inductor depend upon the applied frequency.
• The unit of resistance is Ohm, while the unit of inductance is Henry.
• The resistor can block AC and DC, the inductor can block only AC.
• The resistor can not create a phase difference between current and voltage, the inductor can create a phase difference between current and voltage.
• The resistor creates a unity power factor, the inductor creates a lagging power factor.
• The resistor cannot improve the power factor, The inductor can be used for the improvement of the power factor for a capacitive load.

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