For other meanings of the word not related to electronics, see dual.
In electronics, the dual of a device or circuit is another whose mathematical description is identical except that voltages in one correspond to currents in the other, and vice versa. For example:
- a resistance is the dual of a conductance;
- two resistances in series are the dual of two conductances in parallel;
- a capacitor is the dual of an inductor;
- an electrostatic motor is the dual of a magnetic motor;
- Kirchhoff's current law is the dual of Kirchhoff's voltage law.
In physics, the electromagnetic dual concept is based on the idea that, in the static case, electromagnetism has two separate facets: electric fields and magnetic fields. Electric fields are the dual of magnetic fields, and vice versa. Also:
- Permittivity is the dual of permeability.
- Piezoelectricity is the dual of magnetostriction.
- Ferroelectrics (or electrets) are the dual of ferromagnets.
- Electrets are the dual of permanent magnets;
- The Faraday effect is the dual of the Kerr effect.
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