When AC current flows through a circuit conductor, what is created that opposes the applied voltage?

When AC current flows through a circuit conductor, it generates a magnetic field due to the changing direction of the current. This magnetic field is a result of the movement of charged particles (electrons) within the conductor. According to electromagnetic principles, this magnetic field interacts with the flow of current and creates inductive reactance. This reactance opposes the applied voltage, which is a key characteristic of inductive loads in AC circuits.

The reaction of the magnetic field is significant because it plays a crucial role in devices such as transformers and inductors, where it’s essential to manage the opposition to current flow effectively. This phenomenon means that, as the AC voltage is applied, the circuit experiences additional resistance beyond just the standard resistive losses, which affects the overall performance of the circuit.

The other options, such as sound waves, heat, and light, are consequences or by-products of electrical processes under specific conditions but do not directly oppose the applied voltage in the context of AC current. Sound waves might emanate from some devices but are not a direct factor in opposition to voltage. Similarly, heat is generated due to resistive losses rather than opposing the applied voltage outright, and light is produced through processes such as incandescence or through light-emitting