Mutual inertia

Abstract

The mutual inertia concept is introduced through the study of the small oscillations of a periodic linear chain of particles gliding on an air-track and joined by loaded strings. The term ’’mutual inertia’’ is clarified by considering the electrical analog of the chain. In this LC ladder network the neighboring inductors are coupled through mutual inductance, which is the electrical counterpart of ’’mutual inertia.’’ A pure asymmetrical mutual inertia coupling is then dealt with in order to provide a more encompassing description of the concept. Finally, the limit case of a perfect transformer is considered.