What term describes the ability to store energy in an electric field?

What term describes the ability to store energy in an electric field?

• A. Inductance
• B. Capacitance
• C. Resistance
• D. Reactance

Answer: (B)

The term that describes the ability to store energy in an electric field is capacitance. Capacitance is a property of capacitors, which are components designed specifically to store electrical energy. When a voltage is applied across a capacitor, it accumulates electric charge, and as a result, energy is stored in the electric field that forms between the plates of the capacitor. This process of energy storage is fundamental in many electronic circuits, allowing capacitors to smooth out fluctuations in voltage, filter signals, and provide short bursts of power when needed. The amount of energy a capacitor can store is directly related to its capacitance value, measured in farads. The other terms listed describe different electrical properties that do not pertain to the storage of energy in an electric field. Inductance pertains to the ability to store energy in a magnetic field, resistance is the measure of how much a component opposes the flow of electric current, and reactance refers to the opposition to alternating current caused by capacitance or inductance. Thus, capacitance is the correct term when discussing the storage of energy in an electric field.

The term that describes the ability to store energy in an electric field is capacitance. Capacitance is a property of capacitors, which are components designed specifically to store electrical energy. When a voltage is applied across a capacitor, it accumulates electric charge, and as a result, energy is stored in the electric field that forms between the plates of the capacitor.

This process of energy storage is fundamental in many electronic circuits, allowing capacitors to smooth out fluctuations in voltage, filter signals, and provide short bursts of power when needed. The amount of energy a capacitor can store is directly related to its capacitance value, measured in farads.

The other terms listed describe different electrical properties that do not pertain to the storage of energy in an electric field. Inductance pertains to the ability to store energy in a magnetic field, resistance is the measure of how much a component opposes the flow of electric current, and reactance refers to the opposition to alternating current caused by capacitance or inductance. Thus, capacitance is the correct term when discussing the storage of energy in an electric field.