What is the difference between real and reactive power?

(d) Real power is responsible for the actual output and reactive power is power oscillating in and out due to reactive element

Real Power is the actual power consumed by loads, and indeed most components, in an electrical circuit. Reactive Power, on the other hand is not consumed by load. It is however required by 'excitable' circuit components, particularly motors due to the presence of electromagnetism.

I have once heard that the reactive power is the complementary component of the real power. think of it as "yin and yang"

d) is the correct answer.

 

To explain it more simply: 

In the glass of any carbonated drink, there is liquid occupying some volume and on the top of that we also see the foam/lather occupying some volume too.

In the above example, the liquid is analogous to Real power (which actually fills the stomach), whereas the foam is analogous to reactive power (which after some time disappears and does not contribute to stomach filling).

the active power is the real consumed power by the load the reactive power is the power needed for excitaion of indductace and capcitance in grids , however the reactive power can harm the generating system and need compensation

We know that reactive loads such as inductors and capacitors dissipate zero power, yet the fact that they drop voltage and draw current gives the deceptive impression that they actually do dissipate power. This “phantom power” is called reactive power, and it is measured in a unit called Volt-Amps-Reactive (VAR), rather than watts. The mathematical symbol for reactive power is (unfortunately) the capital letter Q. The actual amount of power being used, or dissipated, in a circuit is called true power

Real power is actually consumed by load while the reactive power is needed for excitation of component like capacitor and inductor. how ever it is necessary that the total power  have some reactive power for excitation of componenets

real power :- kw which power is loss in the equipment  Like  P=VI.Cos.phi ( Cos phi Angle between voltage and current)

Reactive Power :- Kvar Use full power of equipment               P=vi. Sin.phi

real power is the actual amount of power being used(watts) while reactive power is Power merely absorbed and returned in load due to its reactive properties (VAR)

Real power or active power is Converted in another form of energy but reactive power is not, if its value decreases then more active power can be converted in use able form of energy and if value increases then Less energy is transformed to do work.

What kind of Reactive Power you are talking about, Lagging or Leading ? Technically you can have both options. In AC Circuits any real power comes with its twin sister called Reactive Power and its the property of AC Circuits, having non resistive circuit components!

Real power is consumed by the load from the source while reactive power flows back to the source.