Definition
The opposition that an inductor (a coil of wire) presents to alternating current (AC) due to the magnetic field it builds and collapses as the current changes direction. Inductive reactance is measured in ohms and increases as the frequency of the AC or the inductance of the coil increases.
Plain English
It is the way a coil pushes back against alternating current. The faster the current changes direction, or the bigger the coil, the harder the coil resists the flow.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical-system maintenance, especially when working with alternating-current circuits, coils, transformers, motors, relays, and ignition-related windings.
Derivation
From Latin inducere, 'to lead in,' referring to how a changing current 'leads in' a magnetic field around the coil. Reactance comes from react -- the coil reacts to the changing current by opposing it. Together: the opposition produced by induction.
Why Pilots Care
Maintenance technicians need to understand inductive reactance because it affects how AC components like motors, transformers, and inverters behave. A circuit that works fine on direct current can behave very differently on alternating current because of this opposition.
Grounding Statement
Picture pushing a swing. If you push gently and slowly, it moves easily. If you try to shove it back and forth very quickly, it resists you. A coil resists fast-changing current in the same way.
Intuition Check
Do not read inductive reactance as simple resistance. Resistance opposes current in general; inductive reactance is opposition caused by changing current and magnetic-field effects in an alternating-current circuit.
Example Sentence 1
The technician calculated the inductive reactance of the coil to determine how much it would limit current flow at 400 hertz.
Example Sentence 2
As frequency rose, inductive reactance in the alternator output circuit increased and reduced current flow.