Inductive Reactance Xl is the opposition to the flow of alternating current caused by the inductance of a circuit, measured in ohms. Which option correctly defines Xl?

• A. The total opposition to current flow in an AC circuit
• B. The unit of inductance
• C. The power consumed by the circuit
• D. The opposition to the flow of alternating current caused by the inductance of a circuit, measured in ohms

Answer: (D)

Inductive Reactance is the part of impedance that comes from an inductor in an AC circuit, telling you how strongly the inductor resists changes in current at a given frequency. It’s measured in ohms and increases with frequency according to Xl = 2πfL. This aligns with the definition that describes Xl as the opposition to the flow of alternating current caused by the inductance of a circuit, measured in ohms. It isn’t the total opposition in a circuit (that’s the full impedance, which includes resistance), not the unit of inductance (the henry), and not the power consumed (watts). So this definition is the correct one.