Cathodic Protection Tester Practice Exam

Which symbol is commonly used to represent impedance?

1. Z

2. R

3. I

4. V

The correct answer is: Z

The symbol commonly used to represent impedance is Z. Impedance is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering that describes the total opposition that a circuit presents to the flow of alternating current (AC). It combines both resistance (R) and reactance (X), representing how a circuit impedes current while considering both resistive and reactive components. Resistance (R) specifically refers to the opposition to direct current (DC), whereas impedance encompasses both resistive and reactive elements in AC circuits. Reactance is associated with the storage and release of energy in inductive or capacitive components, which vary with frequency. Therefore, while R is a component of impedance, it does not fully capture the behavior of AC circuits, making Z the standard symbol used for overall impedance. The other symbols refer to different electrical parameters: I stands for current, and V stands for voltage, both of which are integral to understanding circuits but do not convey the concept of impedance directly.