Which of the following best describes the inductance of two coils connected in parallel?

In a parallel connection of inductors, the total inductance is calculated differently than in series. The correct method for calculating the combined inductance of two coils in parallel involves adding the inverses of the individual inductances. Specifically, the formula for total inductance (L_total) when two inductors are connected in parallel can be expressed as:

1/L_total = 1/L1 + 1/L2

This means that the total inductance is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual inductances. This approach is grounded in the principles of circuit theory, where the total effect of all pathways in a parallel circuit is shaped by the inverses of their individual contributions.

This method reflects the physical concept that in a parallel configuration, the inductive effects of the coils can be shared, leading to a decrease in overall inductance when compared to the individual inductances. Therefore, the sum of their inverses correctly describes the behavior of two coils connected in parallel.