How does a capacitor store energy?

A capacitor stores energy by storing charge on its plates, which creates an electric field.

When a voltage is applied to a capacitor, electrons are forced onto one plate, while the other plate becomes positively charged. This separation of charge creates an electric field between the plates, which stores energy in the capacitor. The amount of energy stored in a capacitor is proportional to the voltage applied and the capacitance of the capacitor.

Capacitance is a measure of a capacitor's ability to store charge. It is determined by the size and spacing of the plates, as well as the type of material between them. The greater the capacitance, the more charge a capacitor can store for a given voltage.

When a capacitor is connected to a circuit, it can release its stored energy in the form of a sudden burst of current. This makes capacitors useful in a variety of applications, such as in power supplies, filters, and timing circuits.

Overall, capacitors store energy by creating an electric field between two plates, which is proportional to the voltage applied and the capacitance of the capacitor. They can then release this energy in a sudden burst of current when connected to a circuit.