Final answer:
Both resistance and inductive reactance combine to form impedance, which is the total opposition to current flow in an AC circuit, and includes the effects of resistance, inductive reactance, and capacitive reactance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Both resistance and inductive reactance do indeed oppose the flow of current, and their combined opposition in an electrical circuit is called impedance. Resistance, symbolized by R, is a measure of the opposition to the flow of current in a circuit. Inductive reactance, represented by XL, specifically describes the opposition of an inductor to a change in current. When both resistance and inductive reactance are present in an alternating current (AC) circuit, they do not simply add up but combine to form impedance, because their effects on the phase of current and voltage are different. Impedance includes all forms of opposition to current flow, including resistive and reactive components,
Ohm's law for an AC circuit, which relates the current I, voltage V, and impedance Z, can be expressed as I = V/Z. Here, the impedance is a complex quantity accounting for both resistance R and inductive reactance XL, along with capacitive reactance XC if capacitors are present. Therefore, when analyzing an RLC series circuit with an AC voltage source, the full impedance must be considered to determine the relationship between voltage and current. Impedance is fundamental in understanding how inductors, capacitors, and resistors interact in an AC circuit, especially at different frequencies and their effects on the phase angle between voltage and current.