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fonz
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Why is it that capacitive reactance is subtracted from inductive reactance and not the other way around when determining the overall reactance?
Reactances in series add. Inductive reactance has a + associated with it, and capacitive reactance has a – associated with it. They keep these signs when you add them, and the result can end up being a net + or a net – depending on the magnitudes.fonz said:Why is it that capacitive reactance is subtracted from inductive reactance and not the other way around when determining the overall reactance?
fonz said:Why is it that capacitive reactance is subtracted from inductive reactance and not the other way around when determining the overall reactance?
Inductive reactance is the opposition to the flow of alternating current (AC) caused by an inductor. It is measured in ohms and is directly proportional to the frequency of the AC and the inductance of the inductor.
Capacitive reactance is the opposition to the flow of alternating current (AC) caused by a capacitor. It is measured in ohms and is inversely proportional to the frequency of the AC and the capacitance of the capacitor.
Inductive reactance causes an AC circuit to lag in phase, while capacitive reactance causes it to lead in phase. This can result in changes in the amplitude and phase of the AC signal in the circuit.
The main difference between inductive and capacitive reactance is the type of component that causes the opposition to the flow of AC. Inductive reactance is caused by an inductor, while capacitive reactance is caused by a capacitor. They also have opposite effects on the phase of the AC signal in a circuit.
Inductive reactance can be calculated using the formula XL = 2πfL, where XL is the inductive reactance in ohms, f is the frequency in hertz, and L is the inductance in henrys. Capacitive reactance can be calculated using the formula XC = 1/(2πfC), where XC is the capacitive reactance in ohms, f is the frequency in hertz, and C is the capacitance in farads.