Understanding Capacitors
A capacitor is a passive two-terminal electronic component designed to store electrical energy in an electric field. It typically consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric.
How Capacitors Store Energy
When a voltage is applied across the capacitor's plates, an electric charge builds up on them, with opposite charges on each plate. This charge accumulation creates an electric field across the dielectric, which is where the energy is stored, ready to be discharged back into the circuit.
Practical Uses of Capacitors
Capacitors are vital in many electronic applications. They are commonly used for smoothing out voltage fluctuations in power supplies, blocking direct current (DC) while allowing alternating current (AC) to pass, in timing circuits, and for temporary energy storage, such as in camera flashes.
Key Characteristics
The primary characteristic of a capacitor is its capacitance, measured in Farads (F), which quantifies its ability to store charge. Other important parameters include its voltage rating, indicating the maximum voltage it can safely handle, and its equivalent series resistance (ESR).