When an inductor charges it opposes the change in current and produces a voltage drop. I just want to make sure that this voltage drop is always in relation to a resistor. Can it produce a voltage drop without one?

 

When you first apply current, the voltage does not drop because the inductor is opposing the current change. Once the inductor charges and saturates, its
just like a resistor when at steady state DC wise.
ELI the ICE man

 

Read this
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=291049&postcount=7

 

Read this
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=291049&postcount=7

That's a very good explanation , finally starting to get it.

 

is there a way to measure the changing induced voltage without using a resistor to see what the difference is?

 

Digital capture oscilloscope but you'll still want a small resistor.