The symbol for impedance in circuit theory is?

The symbol for impedance in circuit theory is represented by the letter Z. Impedance is a complex quantity that describes the relationship between voltage and current in an AC circuit, encompassing both resistance and reactance. Resistance accounts for the energy dissipated as heat in the circuit components, while reactance pertains to the energy stored and released by capacitors and inductors.

Impedance combines these two concepts and is expressed in ohms, just like resistance. The use of the letter Z originates from the mathematical representation of impedance, where it is often defined in the context of phasor analysis.

In contrast, the letters associated with the other options represent different electrical concepts. For example, X typically stands for reactance, which specifically refers to the reactive component of impedance, while L denotes inductance, an important property of inductors. V is commonly used to symbolize voltage. Thus, Z is the accurate and widely accepted symbol for impedance in circuit theory.