Question
Which of the following represents a pure inductive reactance in polar coordinates?
Answer Options
- A) A positive 45 degree phase angle
- B) A negative 45 degree phase angle
- C) A positive 90 degree phase angle
- D) A negative 90 degree phase angle
Correct Answer: C
Explanation
In polar coordinates, the phase angle represents the total phase shift between voltage and current. For any purely reactive component, the magnitude of this phase shift is 90 degrees. The sign of the phase angle indicates whether the circuit is capacitive or inductive.
For an inductor, the voltage leads the current (ELI the ICE man). This is conventionally represented by a positive phase angle. Therefore, a pure inductive reactance is represented by a positive 90 degree phase angle (+90^\circ). Conversely, a pure capacitive reactance would be represented by a negative 90 degree phase angle (-90^\circ).
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