What does inductance cause in an electrical circuit?

Inductance in an electrical circuit is a property that causes the current to lag behind the applied voltage, which is a fundamental characteristic of inductors. This occurs because when an inductor is connected to a voltage source, the magnetic field around the inductor builds up over time. The energy is stored in the magnetic field, and this process does not happen instantaneously. As a result, there is a delay, or lag, between the peak of the voltage wave and the peak of the current wave.

This lag is a critical concept to understand in the analysis of AC (alternating current) circuits, where inductance influences the phase relationship between voltage and current. In purely inductive circuits, the current peaks 90 degrees later than the voltage peaks, which is crucial when analyzing circuit behavior, calculating impedance, and designing AC systems. Understanding this lag is essential in applications such as signal processing and filter design, where phase relationships are vital.

The other options do not accurately reflect the effects of inductance in a circuit. Inductance does not inherently increase voltage dramatically; it does not decrease resistance in a circuit, and it isn't responsible for frequency modulation either. Thus, the correct answer highlights the unique phase shift characteristic induced by inductance in electrical