What is the effect of increased capacity on capacitive reactance?

Prepare for the 4th Year Lineman Apprentice Exam. Study with interactive resources including flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Get exam-ready today!

In a capacitive circuit, capacitive reactance is defined as the opposition that a capacitor presents to alternating current (AC). It is directly related to the frequency of the AC signal and the capacitance value of the capacitor, described by the formula:

[ X_c = \frac{1}{2\pi f C} ]

Where:

  • ( X_c ) is the capacitive reactance (measured in ohms),

  • ( f ) is the frequency of the AC (in hertz),

  • ( C ) is the capacitance (in farads).

From this equation, it becomes clear that as the capacitance (C) increases, the capacitive reactance (Xc) decreases, provided that the frequency of the AC signal (f) remains constant. This is because reactance and capacitance are inversely related; higher capacitance allows more current to flow for a given frequency, thus lowering the reactance.

Therefore, when the capacity of the capacitor increases, it results in a decrease in capacitive reactance, making the chosen answer the appropriate one based on the principles of capacitive behavior in AC circuits.

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