Magnetic circuits – Analogy check Statement: “Reluctance in a magnetic circuit is analogous to current in an electrical circuit.” Decide whether this statement is correct.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: False

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Electrical–magnetic analogies are widely used to reason about magnetic circuits with cores, air gaps, and windings. The common “Ohm’s law” form is mmf = flux * reluctance, which invites comparisons to V = I * R in electric circuits. This question checks whether the stated analogy is correct.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Linear magnetic material behavior assumed (no deep saturation), so a simple reluctance model is meaningful.
  • Sinusoidal or steady conditions; leakage and fringing ignored for the core idea.
  • Symbols: mmf = magnetomotive force, Φ = flux, Rm = reluctance.


Concept / Approach:

The standard magnetic “Ohm’s law” is written as mmf = Φ * Rm. Compare with electric Ohm’s law V = I * R. Mapping terms shows mmf ↔ voltage, flux Φ ↔ current, and reluctance Rm ↔ resistance. Therefore, reluctance corresponds to resistance, not current.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Write magnetic relation: mmf = Φ * Rm.Write electric relation: V = I * R.Identify analogs: mmf ↔ V, Φ ↔ I, Rm ↔ R.Therefore, the statement “reluctance is analogous to current” contradicts the correct mapping.


Verification / Alternative check:

Check power-like quantities: electric power is V * I; magnetic “power” flow conceptually involves mmf * flux. The pairings remain consistent only if reluctance ↔ resistance and flux ↔ current.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

“True” (and conditional variants) are incorrect because the analogy depends on the form of the governing equations, not on permeability being 1 or leakage being small.



Common Pitfalls:

Confusing flux density B with flux Φ; mixing field intensity H with mmf; assuming analogies change with material type. The core mapping remains mmf ↔ V, Φ ↔ I, Rm ↔ R.



Final Answer:

False.

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