Question
What is reactive power?
Answer Options
- A) Power consumed in circuit Q
- B) Power consumed by an inductor’s wire resistance
- C) The power consumed in inductors and capacitors
- D) Wattless, nonproductive power
Correct Answer: D
Explanation
In an AC electrical circuit, power can be categorized into two forms: real power (measured in Watts) and reactive power (measured in VARs). Real power does work or creates heat, while reactive power is associated with the energy stored and returned by capacitors and inductors over the AC cycle.
Reactive power is often described as wattless, nonproductive power because it does no net work and is not dissipated in the circuit (in ideal components). It represents the energy that ‘sloshes’ back and forth between the source and the reactive load. Although essential for reactive components to function, it does not contribute to the circuit’s total power consumption and should ideally be minimized for efficiency.
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