What Is A Capacitor?

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What is a capacitor?

A capacitor is an electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field between two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric.

Simple Explanation:

Think of a capacitor like a tiny rechargeable battery that:

Charges when connected to a power source
Stores energy for a short time
Discharges that energy when needed

But unlike batteries, capacitors can charge and discharge very quickly.

⚙️How It Works:

Two metal plates hold opposite charges.
An insulating material (dielectric) prevents them from touching.
When voltage is applied:
- One plate becomes positively charged
- The other becomes negatively charged
The energy is stored in the electric field created between the plates.

Capacitance (C):

Capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to store charge.
Measured in farads (F).
Formula: C=VQ

Where:

C = capacitance
Q = electric charge (coulombs)
V = voltage (volts)

Uses of Capacitors:

Power supply filtering (smooths out voltage)
Timing circuits (with resistors)
Signal coupling and decoupling
Motor starters (e.g., in fans)
Camera flashes and energy storage