What term describes the condition in which capacitive reactance equals inductive reactance?

What term describes the condition in which capacitive reactance equals inductive reactance?

• A. Inductance
• B. Capacitance
• C. Resonance
• D. Impedance

Answer: (C)

The condition in which capacitive reactance equals inductive reactance is referred to as resonance. At resonance, the reactive components of an AC circuit—namely, the inductance (which creates inductive reactance) and capacitance (which creates capacitive reactance)—cancel each other out, resulting in a purely resistive circuit. This cancellation occurs at a specific frequency known as the resonant frequency, where the impedance of the circuit is minimized, allowing for maximum current flow. In practical terms, resonance is significant in applications such as tuning circuits, filters, and oscillators, where achieving this balance leads to enhanced performance and efficiency. When the circuit is at resonance, the voltage across the inductor and capacitor can be significantly higher than the source voltage, due to the constructive interference of the respective voltages at this specific frequency. The other terms do not accurately describe this specific condition. Inductance and capacitance refer to the properties of inductors and capacitors, respectively, while impedance refers to the total opposition a circuit presents to alternating current, which includes both resistive and reactive components. Resonance distinctly highlights the interplay between inductance and capacitance at a specific point, making it the correct term for this condition.

The condition in which capacitive reactance equals inductive reactance is referred to as resonance. At resonance, the reactive components of an AC circuit—namely, the inductance (which creates inductive reactance) and capacitance (which creates capacitive reactance)—cancel each other out, resulting in a purely resistive circuit. This cancellation occurs at a specific frequency known as the resonant frequency, where the impedance of the circuit is minimized, allowing for maximum current flow.

In practical terms, resonance is significant in applications such as tuning circuits, filters, and oscillators, where achieving this balance leads to enhanced performance and efficiency. When the circuit is at resonance, the voltage across the inductor and capacitor can be significantly higher than the source voltage, due to the constructive interference of the respective voltages at this specific frequency.

The other terms do not accurately describe this specific condition. Inductance and capacitance refer to the properties of inductors and capacitors, respectively, while impedance refers to the total opposition a circuit presents to alternating current, which includes both resistive and reactive components. Resonance distinctly highlights the interplay between inductance and capacitance at a specific point, making it the correct term for this condition.