1. A mathematical operator equivalent to a rotation through 90°.
2. Symbol for the square root of −1, √−1, which defines imaginary numbers. Formulas for electric and electronic circuits use j instead of i for this purpose because i is already used to indicate current flow.
If a current flows through a complex impedance, comprising a real resistive component and a reactive component, then the voltage across the resistive component will be in phase with the current, whereas the voltage across the reactance will be shifted in phase from the current by 90°. The resistance can therefore be denoted by a real value R, and the reactance by jX, the j signifying the 90° phase shift.