In an inductive circuit, what is the relationship between voltage and current?

In an inductive circuit, the relationship between voltage and current is characterized by voltage lagging current by 90 degrees. This phenomenon occurs due to the nature of inductors, which oppose changes in current. When an alternating current (AC) flows through an inductor, the magnetic field built up around the inductor generates a back electromotive force (EMF) that causes the voltage to rise and fall later than the current.

As a result, the peak current occurs before the peak voltage in the AC cycle, leading to a phase difference where voltage lags behind current. This 90-degree phase shift is a fundamental principle in the analysis of AC circuits that includes inductors, and it is key to understanding how reactive components behave differently compared to resistive components, where voltage and current are in phase.