1. What is Impedance?

Impedance (Z) is the total opposition to current flow in an AC circuit, combining both resistance (R) and reactance (X). It's measured in ohms (Ω) and is a complex quantity with both magnitude and phase.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the impedance formula:

Where:

• \( Z \) — Impedance (Ω)
• \( R \) — Resistance (Ω)
• \( X \) — Reactance (Ω)

Explanation: The formula calculates the magnitude of impedance from the Pythagorean combination of resistance and reactance.

3. Importance of Impedance Calculation

Details: Impedance is crucial for analyzing AC circuits, designing filters, matching loads to sources, and understanding power transfer in electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter resistance and reactance values in ohms (Ω). Both values can be positive or negative (for capacitive reactance), but at least one must be non-zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between impedance and resistance?
A: Resistance opposes DC current, while impedance opposes AC current and includes both resistive and reactive components.

Q2: Can impedance be negative?
A: The magnitude of impedance is always positive, though reactance can be negative (capacitive) or positive (inductive).

Q3: How does frequency affect impedance?
A: Reactance (X) depends on frequency - inductive reactance increases with frequency, while capacitive reactance decreases.

Q4: What's the phase angle in impedance?
A: The phase angle θ = arctan(X/R), representing the phase difference between voltage and current.

Q5: When is impedance purely resistive?
A: When reactance X = 0, at resonance in LC circuits or in DC circuits where ω = 0.