What is the difference between real and reactive power in AC circuits?

Real power is the power that is actually consumed by a circuit, while reactive power is the power that is stored and released by the circuit's components.

Real power, also known as active power, is the power that is actually consumed by a circuit to perform useful work, such as lighting a bulb or powering a motor. It is measured in watts and is represented by the symbol P. Real power is the product of the voltage and current in a circuit, and it is always positive.

Reactive power, on the other hand, is the power that is stored and released by the circuit's components, such as capacitors and inductors. It is measured in volt-amperes reactive (VAR) and is represented by the symbol Q. Reactive power does not perform any useful work, but it is necessary for the operation of certain types of equipment, such as motors and transformers.

The total power in an AC circuit is the sum of the real power and the reactive power, and it is measured in volt-amperes (VA). The ratio of real power to total power is known as the power factor, and it is an important parameter in the design and operation of AC circuits. A low power factor indicates that a circuit is inefficient and is consuming more power than necessary, while a high power factor indicates that a circuit is operating efficiently and is using power effectively.