Why is reactance imaginary?

Answer 1

The reactance is taken imaginary because it does not consume any power directly but reactance like inductive or capacitive reactance provides phase shift of 90 degree, whether it provides a leading phase shift or lagging phase shift. In case of inductor the current lags voltage by 90 degree while in case of capacitor current leads by 90 degree. Thus only resistance is taken as real while combination of resistance and capacitance is called impedence....

Ashish Sharma AP ECE

HIET Shahpur

Answer 2

Reactance does not consume energy. It stores energy. It does not perform work. Only the resistance performs work. We have the stored energy unable to perform work, hence it is imaginary.