In AC circuits, inductive reactance provides opposition to current flow due to inductance.

• A. Inductive Reactance
• B. Capacitive Reactance
• C. Ohmic Resistance
• D. Magnetic Flux

Answer: (A)

Inductive reactance is the part of impedance that resists changes in current caused by an inductor. When current tries to rise or fall, the inductor's magnetic field stores or releases energy, and the induced counter-emf acts to oppose that change. This opposition is quantified as XL = ωL = 2πfL, so it increases with frequency and with the inductance. In a pure inductor, the current lags the voltage by 90 degrees, and the impedance is purely reactive (jωL). That contrasts with ohmic resistance, which simply reduces current magnitude without depending on frequency, and with capacitive reactance, which arises from capacitors and makes current lead voltage. Magnetic flux is the energy stored in the inductor, not the measure of opposite current flow, though it’s the mechanism behind inductance.