How does frequency affect inductive and capacitive reactance?

How does frequency affect inductive and capacitive reactance?

• A. Inductive reactance decreases, capacitive reactance remains constant
• B. Inductive reactance increases, capacitive reactance decreases
• C. Both inductive and capacitive reactance remain the same
• D. Inductive reactance remains constant, capacitive reactance increases

Answer: (B)

Frequency plays a crucial role in determining the behavior of inductive and capacitive reactance in an AC circuit. Inductive reactance is directly proportional to frequency, which means that as the frequency of the AC signal increases, the inductive reactance also increases. This relationship can be expressed by the formula for inductive reactance: \[ X_L = 2\pi f L \] where \( X_L \) is the inductive reactance, \( f \) is the frequency, and \( L \) is the inductance. Thus, higher frequencies lead to larger values of inductive reactance, making it harder for current to flow through inductive components such as coils or transformers. Conversely, capacitive reactance is inversely proportional to frequency, illustrated by the formula: \[ X_C = \frac{1}{2\pi f C} \] where \( X_C \) is the capacitive reactance and \( C \) is the capacitance. As frequency increases, the capacitive reactance decreases, allowing more current to pass through capacitive components, such as capacitors. Therefore, when frequency increases, inductive reactance rises while capacitive reactance falls, making the choice reflecting that accurate.

Frequency plays a crucial role in determining the behavior of inductive and capacitive reactance in an AC circuit. Inductive reactance is directly proportional to frequency, which means that as the frequency of the AC signal increases, the inductive reactance also increases. This relationship can be expressed by the formula for inductive reactance:

[ X_L = 2\pi f L ]

where ( X_L ) is the inductive reactance, ( f ) is the frequency, and ( L ) is the inductance. Thus, higher frequencies lead to larger values of inductive reactance, making it harder for current to flow through inductive components such as coils or transformers.

Conversely, capacitive reactance is inversely proportional to frequency, illustrated by the formula:

[ X_C = \frac{1}{2\pi f C} ]

where ( X_C ) is the capacitive reactance and ( C ) is the capacitance. As frequency increases, the capacitive reactance decreases, allowing more current to pass through capacitive components, such as capacitors.

Therefore, when frequency increases, inductive reactance rises while capacitive reactance falls, making the choice reflecting that accurate.