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Difficulty: EasyCapacitors

When a voltage source is connected across a capacitor, in what form does the component store its electrical energy?

  1. A
    In an electromagnetic field created around a conductive wire coil
  2. In an electrostatic field established between two conductive platesAnswer
  3. C
    Through chemical oxidation-reduction reactions between electrolyte materials
  4. D
    As thermal energy dissipated across a resistive element

Answer

In an electrostatic field established between two conductive plates
A capacitor is designed to store electrical charge. When connected to a voltage source, opposite charges accumulate on its conductive plates, setting up an electrostatic field across the dielectric layer that stores potential electrical energy.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the basic structure and operating principle of a capacitor.
A capacitor consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating dielectric material.
Understanding the physical construction determines how the component interacts with electrical charges.
2
Analyze how energy is stored when voltage is applied across the plates.
Positive charges accumulate on one plate while negative charges accumulate on the opposite plate, creating an electric (electrostatic) field across the dielectric.
Unlike inductors that store energy magnetically or batteries that store energy chemically, capacitors store potential energy directly in this electrostatic field.

Key Concept

Capacitors store electrical potential energy in an electrostatic field between oppositely charged conductive plates.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Capacitors

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