reactance

American  

[ree-ak-tuhns] / riˈæk təns /

noun

1. Electricity. the opposition of inductance and capacitance to alternating current, expressed in ohms: equal to the product of the sine of the angular phase difference between current and voltage and the ratio of the effective voltage to the effective current. X

2. Acoustics. acoustic reactance.

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reactance British  

/ rɪˈæktəns /

noun

1. the opposition to the flow of alternating current by the capacitance or inductance of an electrical circuit; the imaginary part of the impedance Z , Z = R + i X , where R is the resistance, i = √–1, and X is the reactance. It is expressed in ohms Compare resistance

2. the opposition to the flow of an acoustic or mechanical vibration, usually due to inertia or stiffness. It is the magnitude of the imaginary part of the acoustic or mechanical impedance

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Etymology

Origin of reactance

First recorded in 1890–95; react + -ance

Example Sentences

They found that the participants' reactance was significantly lower and their message acceptance higher.

From Salon

As psychological reactance theory predicts, injunctions are more likely to elicit counterargument than acceptance; as the proverb tells us, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

From Scientific American

A common thread could be what behavioral scientists call “psychological reactance,” more commonly known as reverse psychology.

From Scientific American

When people experience psychological reactance, they generally become more set in their ways—even if they’re being told those ways are “wrong.”

From Scientific American

The reason behind this idea has to do with the psychology of “reactance”: Essentially, when we think something is limited to us, we tend to want it more.

From New York Times