GeneralG5A05
How does an inductor react to AC?
D
Answer
Electrical principles
Type
A
As the frequency of the applied AC increases, the reactance decreases
B
As the amplitude of the applied AC increases, the reactance increases
C
As the amplitude of the applied AC increases, the reactance decreases
D
As the frequency of the applied AC increases, the reactance increases
Answer Notes
An inductor opposes changes in current by building and collapsing a magnetic field. The faster the AC current changes direction, the more aggressively the inductor opposes those changes. Therefore, as the frequency of the AC signal increases, the inductor's opposition, known as inductive reactance, also increases.
This relationship is clearly seen in the formula for inductive reactance: X_L = 2 π f L. Since frequency (f) is in the numerator, any increase in frequency directly increases the reactance. The amplitude of the AC signal does not change the physical reactance of the component, which eliminates the amplitude-based distractors.
Previous · G5A04
Which of the following is opposition to the flow of alternating current in a capacitor?
Next · G5A06
How does a capacitor react to AC?