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How does an inductor's reactance change as the frequency of the applied AC goes up?

Reactance increases as the frequency increases.

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  1. As the frequency increases, the reactance decreases
  2. As the frequency increases, the reactance increases ✔
  3. As the amplitude increases, the reactance increases

Why: An inductor resists changes in current, and higher frequency means faster changes. So its opposition to AC, called reactance, grows with frequency. Changing the amplitude does not change reactance.

Huh, didn't know that: A capacitor does the reverse: its reactance decreases as the frequency of the applied AC increases.

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References

Answer: As the frequency increases, the reactance increases. An inductor resists changes in current, and higher frequency means faster changes. So its opposition to AC, called reactance, grows with frequency. Changing the amplitude does not change reactance.

  1. NCVEC 2023-2027 General Class Pool and Syllabus (6th Errata, Feb 4 2026) ncvec.org/downloads/General%20Class%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%202023-2027%20Public%20Release%20with%206th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    As the frequency of the applied AC increases, the reactance increases
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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