In what scenario is a capacitor typically used?

A capacitor is typically used to store electrical energy, and this functionality is key to many applications in electrical and electronic circuits. Capacitors work by accumulating charge on their plates when a voltage is applied across them. This stored energy can then be released when needed, allowing capacitors to perform essential roles such as smoothing out fluctuations in power supplies, providing backup power, and enabling timing functions in circuits.

In applications like filtering, capacitors can temporarily hold a charge, thereby stabilizing voltage and providing power during brief interruptions. This makes them vital in smoothing the output of power supplies, where they even out the voltage by absorbing excess energy and releasing it when needed.

Understanding this function helps clarify the role of capacitors in electronic design, distinguishing them from other components like resistors, which manage current flow, or diodes, which convert AC to DC.