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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hame-reactive-no-dissipation

How much power do ideal inductors and capacitors dissipate?

Zero, reactive loads dissipate no power.

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  1. All of the power they receive, as heat
  2. None, they store energy and return it ✔
  3. Half of the power, at resonance

Why: Reactive loads such as inductors and capacitors dissipate zero power. They store energy and send it back to the circuit, so only the resistance does real work.

Huh, didn't know that: Reactive power is often called wattless, nonproductive power.

The dad joke
Why are ideal inductors terrible at heating homes? They give back everything they take.
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References

Answer: None, they store energy and return it. Reactive loads such as inductors and capacitors dissipate zero power. They store energy and send it back to the circuit, so only the resistance does real work.

  1. Workforce LibreTexts, 11.2 True, Reactive, and Apparent Power workforce.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Electronics_Technology/Electric_Circuits_II_-_Alternating_Current_(Kuphaldt)/11%3A_Power_Factor/11.02%3A_True%2C_Reactive%2C_and_Apparent_Power
    reactive loads such as inductors and capacitors dissipate zero power
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. NCVEC 2024-2028 Amateur Extra Question Pool, E5D12 (4th errata, Feb. 4, 2026) www.ncvec.org/downloads/2024-2028%20Extra%20Class%20Question%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20with%204th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    D. Wattless, nonproductive power
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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