In electrical theory, what does reactive power refer to?

Reactive power is an essential concept in electrical theory, particularly in alternating current (AC) systems. It refers to the power that fluctuates or alternates between the source and the load due to the effects of inductance and capacitance in the circuit.

In AC circuits, reactive power is necessary for maintaining the voltage levels that enable the active power (the power that does useful work) to be effectively transmitted and utilized. Capacitive and inductive loads, like motors and transformers, store energy temporarily; inductors store energy in a magnetic field, while capacitors store it in an electric field. During one part of the AC cycle, the power may flow from the source to the load (indicating positive reactive power), and during another part of the cycle, this stored energy returns from the load back to the source (indicating negative reactive power). This bidirectional flow is characteristic of reactive power.

The other options represent concepts that do not align with the definition of reactive power. Power consumed by resistive loads refers to real power, which does not alternate direction. Power that is generated but not used could refer to other types of losses or non-responsive power types but does not precisely explain reactive power's behavior in an AC system. Power that only flows