The role of inductance can be compared to which of the following?

The correct answer is Option (3) → inertia

Option (1) conductance — Incorrect. Conductance \( 1/R \) measures how easily a steady current flows through a conductor. It does not oppose a change in the current.

Option (2) acceleration — Incorrect. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. In the electrical picture it matches the rate of change of current, \( dI/dt \). The inductance plays a different role.

Option (3) inertia — Correct. The energy needed to build up a current, \( W=LI^2/2 \), has the same form as the kinetic energy \( mv^2/2 \). So \( L \) plays the same role as the mass \( m \). Inductance is electrical inertia: it opposes the growth and decay of current, as mass opposes a change in velocity.

Option (4) current — Incorrect. In the same analogy the current \( I \) plays the role of the velocity \( v \). It is the quantity whose change the inductance opposes.

NCERT (2026-27):
Self-inductance – “… the energy required to build up the current I is,

    \( \displaystyle W=\frac{1}{2}LI^2 \qquad (6.17) \)

This expression reminds us of mv²/2 for the (mechanical) kinetic energy of a particle of mass m, and shows that L is analogous to m (i.e., L is electrical inertia and opposes growth and decay of current in the circuit).”