Understanding and Calculating Inductive Reactance

Inductive reactance is a crucial property that determines how much opposition an inductor offers to the flow of alternating current (AC) at a particular frequency. This opposition is linked to the inductor's inductance and the frequency of the AC supply. Understanding and calculating this value is essential for designing circuits that operate efficiently under specific conditions.

What is Inductive Reactance?

Inductive reactance (XL) is a form of electrical reactance that opposes alternating current. It is a property of the inductor, which is a coil of wire that stores energy in a magnetic field. The inductive reactance is given by the formula:

XL 2πfL

Where:

XL is the inductive reactance in ohms (Ω). f is the frequency in hertz (Hz). L is the inductance in henries (H).

Clarifying the Question and Calculation

Your question, 'Given that an inductor of 10Hz with a frequency of 50Hz, what is the reactive reactance?' appears to have some confusion regarding the units and the specific physical properties being referenced.

Firstly, the term '10Hz' could either be interpreted as the frequency or as the inductance. If the inductance is 10H, and you want to know the inductive reactance at a frequency of 50Hz, then the question would make more sense.

Example Calculation

For an inductor with an inductance of 10H, and a frequency of 50Hz, the inductive reactance can be calculated using the following formula:

XL 2πfL

Substituting the values (2π approximately 6.2832, f 50Hz, L 10H), the calculation is:

XL 2 * 3.1416 * 50 * 10

XL ≈ 3141.6 ohms

This means that the inductive reactance of a 10H inductor at 50Hz is approximately 3141.6 ohms.

Conclusion and Further Reading

Understanding inductive reactance is crucial for electrical engineers and students alike. This property is fundamental for designing circuits that work efficiently at specific frequencies, from electromagnetic tuning circuits to power factor correction in AC systems.

For more detailed information on electrical impedance and reactance, further reading on the subject of inductors and AC circuits is highly recommended. This knowledge is not only theoretical but has practical applications in a wide range of electrical and electronic devices.