Colloquially, a capacitor may be called a cap. [2] The utility of a capacitor depends on its capacitance. While some capacitance exists between any two electrical conductors in proximity in a circuit, a …

In this article, we'll learn exactly what a capacitor is, what it does and how it's used in electronics. We'll also look at the history of the capacitor and how several people helped shape its progress.

Feb 15, 2014 · In a circuit, a capacitor acts as a charge storage device. It stores electric charge when voltage is applied across it and releases the charge back into the circuit when needed. A basic …

Dec 26, 2025 · A capacitor, also called a condenser, is thus essentially a sandwich of two plates of conducting material separated by an insulating material, or dielectric. Its primary function is to store …

Aug 6, 2025 · At its core, a capacitor is an electronic component that stores and releases electrical energy. It consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material known as a dielectric.

Jul 15, 2025 · A capacitor is a device used to store electrical charge and electrical energy. It consists of at least two electrical conductors separated by a distance. (Note that such electrical conductors are …

Sep 6, 2025 · A capacitor, or “ cap ” for short, is an electronic device that stores electrical energy in the form of electric charges on two conductive surfaces that are insulated from one another by a …

Jul 23, 2025 · Capacitors are essential components in electronic circuits that store electrical energy in the form of an electric charge. They are widely used in various applications, including power …

A capacitor can retain its electric field -- hold its charge -- because the positive and negative charges on each of the plates attract each other but never reach each other.

In its basic form, a capacitor consists of two or more parallel conductive (metal) plates which are not connected or touching each other, but are electrically separated either by air or by some form of a …