What is the term for total opposition to the flow of current in an AC circuit?

The term that refers to the total opposition to the flow of current in an AC circuit is impedance. Impedance is a comprehensive measure that combines resistance, inductance, and capacitance, effectively representing how these factors interact in an alternating current (AC) circuit.

Resistance pertains specifically to the opposition to current flow in direct current (DC) circuits and does not account for the phase differences between voltage and current that arise in AC circuits. While inductance and capacitance are components of impedance, they each represent specific types of opposition: inductance pertains to the opposition caused by magnetic fields in coils when current flows, while capacitance pertains to the opposition caused by electric fields in capacitors. Therefore, while resistance, inductance, and capacitance contribute to the overall opposition in AC systems, impedance is the correct term that encapsulates all these effects and reflects the total opposition experienced in an AC circuit, factoring in both magnitude and phase relationships.