What does inductance refer to?

Inductance is a fundamental property associated with inductors in electrical circuits. It refers to the ability of a conductor to oppose changes in the current flowing through it due to the generation of a magnetic field around it. When the current through an inductor changes, the magnetic field around it also changes, which induces an electromotive force (EMF) in the opposite direction. This phenomenon is a direct consequence of Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction.

The opposition to changes in current is what characterizes inductance, making it a crucial aspect of circuits where stability and control of the current are necessary. This is particularly important in applications like transformers, where precise control of voltage and current is needed for efficient operation.

The other choices highlight different electrical concepts: the first choice touches on conductivity, which is the ability of materials to allow the flow of electric current; the third speaks to resistance, which is the opposition to current flow within a material; the fourth option refers to the generation of voltage, which is related to electromagnetic induction but is not the definition of inductance itself. Thus, option B accurately describes inductance as the property of a conductor to oppose changes in current.