Capacitor

A capacitor is a passive electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field between two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric. It can quickly charge and discharge, making it useful for filtering power supply noise, coupling AC signals while blocking DC, and providing temporary energy storage in circuits. Capacitors are characterized by their capacitance value (measured in farads) and voltage rating, and come in various types including ceramic, electrolytic, and tantalum for different applications.