An electrical component that stores charge, with unit of Farads, consisting of two plates separated by an insulating material

An electrical component that stores charge, with unit of Farads, consisting of two plates separated by an insulating material

• A. Inductor
• B. Transformer
• C. Battery
• D. Capacitor

Answer: (D)

A capacitor stores energy as an electric field between two plates separated by an insulating material. The amount of charge on the plates is proportional to the voltage across them, described by Q = C V, with the capacitance C measured in Farads. The dielectric between the plates prevents current from flowing, so the charge remains on the plates while the voltage is applied. Inductors store energy in a magnetic field around conductors, transformers rely on magnetic coupling, and batteries store chemical energy; none of these describe two plates with an insulator between them that hold charge. So the component described is a capacitor.

A capacitor stores energy as an electric field between two plates separated by an insulating material. The amount of charge on the plates is proportional to the voltage across them, described by Q = C V, with the capacitance C measured in Farads. The dielectric between the plates prevents current from flowing, so the charge remains on the plates while the voltage is applied. Inductors store energy in a magnetic field around conductors, transformers rely on magnetic coupling, and batteries store chemical energy; none of these describe two plates with an insulator between them that hold charge. So the component described is a capacitor.