As the frequency of an AC current increases, what happens to the inductive reactance?

Inductive reactance is given by the formula ( X_L = 2\pi f L ), where ( f ) is the frequency of the AC source and ( L ) is the inductance. According to this relationship, as the frequency of the AC current increases, the inductive reactance also increases. This occurs because the inductor opposes changes in current flow, and as frequency ramps up, the inductor's ability to counteract these changes becomes stronger, effectively leading to a greater opposition, which we measure as increased reactance.

Understanding this concept is crucial in applications involving circuits with inductors, as the behavior of inductive reactance directly affects how the circuit responds to different frequencies of AC signals. In summary, the correct answer indicates that inductive reactance rises with frequency, highlighting the fundamental relationship between frequency and inductance in AC circuits.