What is the function of an inductor in an electrical circuit?

The function of an inductor in an electrical circuit is to store energy in a magnetic field. When current flows through an inductor, it creates a magnetic field around it. This process allows the inductor to store energy as long as the current is flowing. When the current stops or changes, the magnetic field collapses, releasing the stored energy back into the circuit. This characteristic makes inductors particularly useful in various applications, such as in filters, oscillators, and energy storage systems in power supplies.

The other options refer to functions that different electrical components perform. Measuring voltage and current is typically done using devices such as voltmeters and ammeters, which are designed specifically for that purpose. Limiting the flow of electric current is a function commonly associated with resistors. The conversion of AC to DC is primarily performed by rectifiers, which specifically address this changing current phenomenon. Each of these components plays its own unique role in circuit functionality, but the primary action of the inductor is indeed the storage of energy in a magnetic field.