What type of opposition to current flow is caused by either an inductance or capacitance?

The correct answer is associated with opposition to current flow that is not due to the heat-generating properties of a material. Reactance specifically refers to the opposition to alternating current (AC) caused by inductance and capacitance.

Inductance is the property of an electrical conductor that opposes changes in current, while capacitance is the ability to store electric charge. In an AC circuit, these two components introduce a phase difference between voltage and current, leading to a time-varying current that cannot fully oppose the flow of electricity like resistance does.

Therefore, reactance is essential in understanding how inductive and capacitive components affect the overall impedance of a circuit. Impedance does encompass reactance alongside resistance, but the question specifically seeks the term that pertains solely to the opposition caused by inductive and capacitive components. Conductance, on the other hand, relates to the ability of a material to allow current flow, and thus is not relevant here.