REACTANCE Meaning and
Definition
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Reactance is a concept used in electrical engineering and physics to describe the opposition that an alternating current (AC) experiences when flowing through a circuit. It is a measure of the circuit's resistance to the changes in the direction or magnitude of the current. Reactance is denoted by the symbol 'X' and is usually expressed in ohms (Ω).
There are two types of reactance: inductive reactance (XL) and capacitive reactance (XC), each associated with the characteristics of different circuit components. Inductive reactance is caused by inductors, which are coils of wire that produce a magnetic field when a current flows through them. It causes the current to lag behind the voltage, creating a phase shift. On the other hand, capacitive reactance is caused by capacitors, which store electrical energy in an electric field. It causes the current to lead the voltage, also resulting in a phase shift.
Reactance depends on the frequency of the AC. Higher frequencies result in larger reactance values. Thus, reactance is inversely proportional to the frequency. The total reactance in a circuit can be calculated using the principles of vector addition for both inductive and capacitive reactances.
Understanding reactance is crucial in electrical circuit analysis and design. It helps engineers determine how different components (such as inductors and capacitors) affect the behavior of AC circuits. By considering reactance, engineers can determine the overall impedance of a circuit and design it to achieve desired performance characteristics.
Common Misspellings for REACTANCE
Etymology of REACTANCE
The word "reactance" is derived from the Latin word "reactus", which means "action" or "to act in response". The suffix "-ance" is added to the root word "react" to form the noun "reactance", referring to the measure of opposition to changes in electrical circuits. The term was coined in the mid-20th century and is commonly used in the field of electrical engineering and physics.
Similar spelling words for REACTANCE
- reactant,
- rectangular,
- reactionism,
- reactionist,
- RECTDINS,
- rigatonis,
- ruggedness,
- RECDUINS,
- reaction,
- rigadoons,
- reactionary,
- raggedness,
- Recadency,
- rectangle,
- ricketiness,
- rigaudons,
- racketiness.
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