What is Series Resonance in an electrical circuit?

Series resonance in an electrical circuit occurs when the inductive reactance and capacitive reactance in the circuit are equal in magnitude and opposite in phase. This condition results in the total impedance of the circuit being minimized to a very low value, which allows maximum current to flow through the circuit at a specific resonance frequency.

When the inductive and capacitive reactances are balanced, the overall reactance cancels out, leading the circuit to behave as a purely resistive circuit at that frequency. This results in a peak or maximum voltage across the components, particularly across the inductor and capacitor, and can significantly affect circuit behavior, such as amplification in resonant circuits.

The state described by this condition is fundamental in applications such as tuning circuits, filters, and oscillators, where controlling the frequency response is critical. Since the correct choice identifies the balancing of reactances as the key characteristic of series resonance, it accurately represents the operational principles of such circuits.