What does inductive reactance do in ac circuit
Inductive reactance, denoted by XL, is a property of inductors in AC circuits. It is a measure of the opposition to the flow of alternating current through the inductor. Inductive reactance depends on the frequency of the AC signal and the value of the inductance.
In an AC circuit, the current and voltage are sinusoidal, meaning they vary with time. When an AC current flows through an inductor, it generates a magnetic field and stores energy in the form of this magnetic field. As the current changes direction (as it does in AC circuits), the magnetic field also changes, which induces a voltage across the inductor. This voltage opposes the flow of current, creating the opposition known as inductive reactance.
Mathematically, the inductive reactance (XL) is given by the equation: XL = 2πfL, where f is the frequency of the AC signal and L is the inductance.
Inductive reactance is directly proportional to both the frequency and inductance. As the frequency increases, the inductive reactance also increases. Similarly, as the inductance increases, the inductive reactance also increases. Inductive reactance is measured in ohms (Ω) and can be used to calculate the voltage across the inductor or the current flowing through it in an AC circuit.
In summary, inductive reactance resists the flow of alternating current through an inductor in an AC circuit by generating a voltage that opposes the current.