When an inductor is connected in a circuit, what type of current does it resist?

An inductor is a passive electrical component that stores energy in its magnetic field when current flows through it. One key property of inductors is that they resist changes in current. The type of current that an inductor particularly resists is alternating current (AC) because AC changes direction periodically, and the inductor opposes this rapid change by inducing an electromotive force (EMF) in the opposite direction. This phenomenon is known as inductive reactance.

In contrast, when a direct current (DC) flows through an inductor, after an initial moment when the current is changing, the inductor will eventually allow the DC to pass through without significant resistance, as the current stabilizes and the magnetic field reaches its steady state. Therefore, an inductor is primarily effective at resisting the variations in current associated with alternating current, not direct current.

Consequently, the option indicating that an inductor resists alternating current aligns with the fundamental behavior of inductors in electrical circuits.