Reactance is the imaginary component (X) of complex impedance in AC circuit analysis, quantifying opposition to sinusoidal current arising from energy storage rather than resistive dissipation. Parameters: (1) inductive reactance X_L = ωL (positive, from inductors storing energy in magnetic fields); (2) capacitive reactance X_C = -1/(ωC) (negative, from capacitors storing energy in electric fields). Persistence mechanism: phasor-domain circuit analysis where reactance enables frequency-dependent circuit design through complex impedance arithmetic. [formal: reactantia | substrate: mind | horizon: centuries | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.03]
Accepted ontology entry
reactance
Reactance is the imaginary component (X) of complex impedance in AC circuit analysis, quantifying opposition to sinusoidal current arising from energy storage rather than resistive dissipation. Parameters: (1) inductive reactance X_L = ωL…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made analytical concept in electrical engineering that represents the imaginary component of impedance, quantifying frequency-dependent opposition to alternating current arising from energy storage elements (inductors and capacitors) rather than energy dissipation.
Names and aliases
- reactanceen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmsorsyn802qbjlss3cb2ruiyDEPENDS_ON →
Reactance (X = ωL or 1/(ωC)) is fundamentally a function of frequency. Remove frequency from the concept and reactance ceases to operate — its defining equations and physical meaning require frequency as a parameter.
- cmsp6dn9d048ojlssunzws8mbINSTANCE_OF →
Reactance is the imaginary part of impedance — a specific kind of impedance component (frequency-dependent opposition to AC current). A competent speaker calls it 'a kind of impedance behavior'. Per Law 9, nearest kind.
Relations to this entry
- cmsp6dn9d048ojlssunzws8mb← CONTAINS
Impedance is a complex quantity Z = R + jX, decomposed into two constituent parts: resistance (real) and reactance (imaginary). Reactance is literally one of the two parts that make up impedance as a whole — a structural decomposition, not an incidental property. CONTAINS is the right arrow (whole→part, Law 10).
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 11, 2026, 9:52 PM UTC
- Content hash
- 1d03e14d6fdb94abeb123a2212c268355599457ce9f642d5ffcf4ccae1d1014f