Red Seal Electrician Practice
AC theoryQuestion 981 of 1506

In a series circuit with an inductor and a capacitor, how does the total impedance compare with the impedance of each one alone?

  1. It is always more than either one
  2. It can be less than either one
  3. It is always equal to the larger one
  4. It is always zero
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Correct answer: It can be less than either one

A positive and a negative imaginary term tend to cancel when added.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits II: AC (Kuphaldt), 5.2: Series R, L, and C

Practice ac theory

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026