Which symbol is used to denote inductance in electrical engineering?

In electrical engineering, the symbol used to denote inductance is "L." This designation comes from the term "inductor," which is the component that stores energy in a magnetic field when an electrical current flows through it. Inductance is a property that quantifies the ability of an inductor to induce an electromotive force (EMF) due to a change in current.

Understanding that "L" represents inductance is foundational in circuit analysis, particularly in understanding how inductors behave in AC and DC circuits. It allows engineers to perform calculations related to reactance and the overall behavior of circuits that include inductive components.

Inductance is measured in henries (H), and the utilization of "L" helps in differentiating it from other electrical quantities such as resistance (which is often denoted by "R") or capacitance (denoted by "C"). The other symbols listed—X, Z, and I—represent different electrical concepts: reactance, impedance, and current respectively. Each of these has its own significance, but they do not apply to inductance.