An inductor L is a closely wound helical coil. The steady DC current flowing through L produces uniform magnetic field around it and the magnetic flux linked remains constant. Therefore there is no self-induction and selfinduced emf (back emf). Since inductor behaves like a resistor, DC flows through an inductor.
The AC flowing through L produces timevarying magnetic field which in turn induces self- induced emf (back emf). This back emf, according to Lenz’s law, opposes any change in the current. Since AC varies both in magnitude and direction, its flow is opposed in L. For an ideal inductor of zero ohmic resistance, the back emf is equal and opposite to the applied emf. Therefore L blocks AC.