What does reactance refer to in AC circuits?

Reactance refers to the opposition that capacitors and inductors provide to the flow of alternating current (AC) due to their inherent properties. In AC circuits, as the current changes direction and magnitude continuously, capacitors and inductors react differently to these changes.

Capacitors store energy in an electric field and oppose changes in voltage, while inductors store energy in a magnetic field and oppose changes in current. The result is a phase shift between the voltage and the current in the circuit, which cannot be accounted for by resistance alone. Reactance thus helps in understanding how these components affect the circuit’s behavior in response to alternating current.

Knowing the concept of reactance is crucial for analyzing AC circuits accurately, especially in terms of how components like capacitors and inductors influence overall circuit operation.