Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
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.
Related terms
Electric Field: The region around a charged object where electric forces are exerted on other charged objects.
Dielectric Constant: A measure of how well an insulating material can store electrical energy in a capacitor.
Charging and Discharging: The processes of storing and releasing electrical energy in a capacitor.