A capacitor is a passive two-terminal electrical component used to store energy in an electric field. It consists of two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric material (insulator). When a voltage is applied, the capacitor accumulates charge on its plates, creating an electric field. The amount of charge a capacitor can store is determined by its capacitance, measured in farads (F). Capacitors are crucial for various electronic circuits, performing functions like filtering, energy storage, signal coupling, and timing circuits. Different types of capacitors exist, each with varying characteristics and applications, including ceramic, electrolytic, and film capacitors.
Capacitor meaning with examples
- In a smartphone, capacitors are essential for smoothing out the power supply from the battery to the various components, preventing voltage fluctuations. Their role is to ensure stable operation. They are very useful in power supply circuits.
- A camera's flash uses a capacitor to store energy. It then quickly discharges that energy to produce a bright burst of light when a photograph is taken, making capacitors extremely helpful.
- Radio circuits utilize capacitors in tuning circuits. They enable the selection of specific radio frequencies by changing the resonant frequency.
- Capacitors filter out unwanted noise in audio amplifiers, resulting in clearer sound quality, which is a valuable part of every circuit that produces audio.
- Computer motherboards rely on numerous capacitors to stabilize voltage levels for the CPU, GPU, and memory modules, thus providing efficient performance and protection.
Capacitor Synonyms
condensator condenser electric capacitor static capacitorCapacitor Antonyms
diode inductor resistorCapacitor Crossword Answers
9 Letters
CONDENSER
11 Letters
CAPACITANCE
19 Letters
ELECTRICALCONDENSER