The primary purpose of an inductor in a circuit is to?

The primary purpose of an inductor in a circuit is to store energy as a magnetic field. When current flows through the coil of the inductor, it generates a magnetic field around it. The energy is stored in this magnetic field and can be released back into the circuit when the current decreases or is interrupted.

Inductors are essential components in various applications such as filters, oscillators, and energy storage devices in power supplies. Their ability to oppose changes in current makes them critical in smoothing out electrical signals and in preventing sudden spikes, which could damage components in the circuit.

The other options refer to functions that do not accurately describe the primary purpose of inductors. While limiting current is a feature of inductors due to their inductive reactance, it is not their primary function. Storing energy as an electric field is characteristic of capacitors, and rectifying voltage is a function associated with diodes.