---
title: "A circuit contains an ideal battery of potential difference \\(\\mathcal{E}\\), a resistor \\(R\\), an ideal inductor \\(L\\), and an open switch, all connected in series. At time \\(t = 0\\), the switch is closed. Which of the following best explains why the magnitude of the potential difference across the inductor approaches zero as \\(t \\to \\infty\\)?"
description: "## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please […]"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118645/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T08:13:29+00:00"
---

# A circuit contains an ideal battery of potential difference \(\mathcal{E}\), a resistor \(R\), an ideal inductor \(L\), and an open switch, all connected in series. At time \(t = 0\), the switch is closed. Which of the following best explains why the magnitude of the potential difference across the inductor approaches zero as \(t \to \infty\)?

A circuit contains an ideal battery of potential difference \(\mathcal{E}\), a resistor \(R\), an ideal inductor \(L\), and an open switch, all connected in series. At time \(t = 0\), the switch is closed. Which of the following best explains why the magnitude of the potential difference across the inductor approaches zero as \(t \to \infty\)?

![A schematic diagram of a single-loop series electric circuit rendered as a simple rectangular wire loop. On the left vertical wire is an ideal battery labeled \(\mathcal{E}\), with a long vertical line above a short vertical line. Along the top horizontal wire is an open switch labeled S. On the right vertical wire is a resistor drawn as a standard zigzag line labeled R. Along the bottom horizontal wire is an ideal inductor drawn as four coiled loops labeled L. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1785831209-gVZlTu.jpg)

- **A.** The magnetic field inside the inductor completely collapses to zero as the current reaches its maximum value.
- **B.** The current in the circuit approaches a constant maximum value, making the rate of change of current approach zero.
- **C.** The inductor dissipates its stored magnetic energy as heat through Joule heating as time increases.
- **D.** Positive charge accumulates on the input terminal of the inductor, creating an opposing static electric field that cancels the battery's potential difference.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118645/*