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What term describes the total opposition to alternating current, analogous to resistance in direct current?

  1. Resistance

  2. Impedance

  3. Reactance

  4. Conductance

The correct answer is: Impedance

Impedance is the correct term to describe the total opposition to alternating current (AC), drawing a parallel to resistance in direct current (DC) systems. While resistance represents the opposition to current flow in DC circuits, impedance encompasses both resistance and reactance in AC circuits. Reactance is a component of impedance that accounts for the effects of inductance and capacitance, which influence the flow of AC differently than in DC. When dealing with AC, impedance is crucial as it helps to understand how circuit elements affect current and voltage. It is expressed in ohms, similar to resistance, but importantly includes the phase relationship between current and voltage, thus giving a more complete picture of how the circuit operates under AC conditions. This distinction is fundamental in electrical engineering and understanding AC circuits, making impedance an essential concept in the analysis of AC systems.