Which two factors determine the extent of opposition in an inductive circuit?

In an inductive circuit, the extent of opposition, or impedance, is determined primarily by two key factors: frequency and inductance.

Inductance is a property of an inductor that quantifies its ability to store energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it. The greater the inductance, the more opposition the circuit presents to changes in current.

Frequency, on the other hand, refers to how often the current changes direction in an AC circuit. In an inductive circuit, as the frequency of the current increases, the impedance also increases. This is because higher frequency means the current’s rate of change is faster, which induces a greater back electromotive force (EMF) that opposes the applied voltage.

The relationship between frequency, inductance, and impedance is described by the formula for inductive reactance (XL), which is given by XL = 2πfL, where f is the frequency and L is the inductance. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing and designing circuits that include inductors.