What does a higher impedance indicate in an AC circuit?

A higher impedance in an AC circuit indicates greater opposition to the flow of alternating current. Impedance combines both resistance and reactance (which arises from inductors and capacitors) and is measured in ohms, just like resistance. When the impedance is high, it means that the circuit provides significant resistance to the current, resulting in a lower current flow for a given voltage according to Ohm's Law (V = IZ, where V is voltage, I is current, and Z is impedance).

In practical terms, if a component or circuit has high impedance, it will restrict the amount of current that can flow through it, which can affect how the entire circuit behaves. Understanding this concept is crucial in designing and analyzing AC circuits, as it helps in predicting how changes in impedance will impact current and voltage levels throughout the system.