Capacitor - Wikipedia
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 …
How Capacitors Work | HowStuffWorks
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.
What is a Capacitor, And What is Capacitance? - Electrical4U
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 …
Capacitor | Definition, Function, & Facts | Britannica
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 …
What Is a Capacitor? How It Works and When to Use It
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.
8.2: Capacitors and Capacitance - Physics LibreTexts
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 …
How do capacitors work? - Explain that Stuff
Feb 16, 2025 · What is a capacitor? Take two electrical conductors (things that let electricity flow through them) and separate them with an insulator (a material that doesn't let electricity flow very …
Capacitor Guide for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know
Jun 13, 2025 · Capacitors are among the most essential electronic components found in every circuit, from simple hobbyist projects to advanced digital devices. In this guide, we explain what a capacitor …
What Do Capacitors Do in Circuits? Complete Guide to Capacitor …
Jan 16, 2026 · Discover what capacitors do and why they're in nearly every circuit. Learn about energy storage, filtering, coupling, timing, and the many essential functions capacitors perform.
Introduction to Capacitors, Capacitance and Charge
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 …