During the operation of an induction motor, what is the relationship between load and power factor?

The relationship between load and power factor in an induction motor is influenced by how the motor's magnetic and resistive characteristics interact as the load changes. As the load on the induction motor increases, the slip also increases, which generally leads to a more favorable power factor.

At low load conditions, the induction motor operates under a lighter load scenario where it tends to draw more reactive power relative to the real power it delivers, resulting in a lower power factor. However, as the motor approaches its rated full load, the power factor improves because the motor's efficiency in converting electrical energy to mechanical work increases. At full load, the power factor tends to peak because the reactance of the motor's operation becomes more balanced with the resistive elements, resulting in a more efficient conversion of power.

Thus, the correct answer highlights that the power factor improves progressively with increasing load, reaching its highest efficiency and power factor at the full load condition. Understanding this relationship is crucial for optimizing the motor's performance in various applications.