Capacitors store electricity and are used in circuits as temporary batteries. Capacitors are charged by DC current (AC current passes through a capacitor) and that stored charge can later be dissipated into the circuit as needed. Capacitors are often used to maintain power within a system when it is disconnected from its primary power source or to smooth out or filter voltage within a circuit.
A capacitor is often used for which of the following purposes?
as a primary power source |
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to allow a small amount of current to control a large amount of current |
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to maintain power in a circuit when the primary power source is disconnected |
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to convert alternating current into direct current |