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reactance
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Reactance
Reactance is the effect on an electrical current caused by a material's
ability to store energy. Reactance is seen as a time delay between
an applied electrical potential and current.
A material that stores energy readily has high reactance, and causes
a large delay in the current. A material that stores energy poorly
has low reactance and causes a small delay in the current.
For example, water poured onto the top of a sponge will flow out the
bottom after a delay in time. A large sponge will cause a large delay
in the flow of water out the bottom, while a small sponge would cause
a small delay. Current flows in materials in much the same way. The
delay in flow of current due to storage is the reactance. Units of
reactance are called ohms.
Why is this the case?
Cell membranes consist of a layer of nonconductive lipophilic material
interposed between two layers of conductive molecules. They behave
like tiny capacitors - storing energy. Reactance in the body reflects
the strength of this capacitance.
How is reactance measured?
A small current is applied through the body. The potential required
to generate the current is measured. The ratio of potential and current
along with a process called correlation and integration is used to
determine the reactance.
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