A capacitor is a passive electrical component that stores energy in which type of field?

A capacitor is a passive electrical component that stores energy in which type of field?

• A. Electric field
• B. Magnetic field
• C. Thermal energy
• D. Mechanical energy

Answer: (A)

Energy is stored in the electric field between the capacitor’s plates when it is charged. The separation of positive and negative charges creates an electric field in the dielectric, and the energy resides in that field. This energy is quantified by U = 1/2 C V^2 (or U = 1/2 QV). The magnetic field isn’t the storage mechanism for a capacitor (that’s what inductors rely on), and thermal or mechanical energy aren’t the primary storage modes for a capacitor’s charge.

Energy is stored in the electric field between the capacitor’s plates when it is charged. The separation of positive and negative charges creates an electric field in the dielectric, and the energy resides in that field. This energy is quantified by U = 1/2 C V^2 (or U = 1/2 QV). The magnetic field isn’t the storage mechanism for a capacitor (that’s what inductors rely on), and thermal or mechanical energy aren’t the primary storage modes for a capacitor’s charge.