An inductor is a passive electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when an electric current flows through it. It typically consists of a coil of wire, often wrapped around a core made of magnetic material. Inductors are commonly used in electronic circuits to filter signals, store energy, and manage current flow. When the current through an inductor changes, it generates a voltage that opposes the change, a principle known as Lenz's Law. This property makes inductors essential in applications like transformers, power supplies, and radio frequency circuits, where they help control and stabilize electrical signals.