what is a capacitor? 

this is an electronic device which is used to store charge in the electronic circuits.

Answered by sharda , an ibibo Advisor, at 11:24 PM on February 17, 2008

this is a small charge is storing electronic device. This is used in many electrical appliances such as television radio fan etc

Answered by Shreshtha , an ibibo Master, at 11:32 PM on February 17, 2008

A capacitor is an electrical/electronic device that can store energy in the electric field between a pair of conductors (called "plates"). The process of storing energy in the capacitor is known as "charging", and involves electric charges of equal magnitude, but opposite polarity, building up on each plate

Answered by yogesh , an ibibo Citizen, at 6:36 PM on February 18, 2008

A capacitor is a tool consisting of two conductive plates, each of which hosts an opposite charge. These plates are separated by a dielectric or other form of insulator, which helps them maintain an electric charge. There are several types of insulators used in capacitors. Examples include ceramic, polyester, tantalum air, and polystyrene. Other common capacitor insulators include air, paper, and plastic. Each effectively prevents the plates from touching each other.

A capacitor is often used to store analogue signals and digital data. Another type of capacitor is used in the telecommunications equipment industry. This type of capacitor is able to adjust the frequency and tuning of telecommunications equipment and is often referred to a variable capacitor. A capacitor is also ideal for storing an electron. A capacitor cannot, however, make electrons.

Answered by sanjiv dhir , an ibibo Specialist, at 9:35 PM on February 18, 2008

this is a small electric device which is used to store charge
they come in variety of shapes and sizes and are used in various electrical appliances such as TV radio computer etc

Answered by Rahul , an ibibo Citizen, at 10:39 PM on February 18, 2008

Capacitor : Adevice that stores electric charge, or, more accurately, consists of two plates which each store an opposite charge. These two plates are conductive and separated by an insulator or dielectric. The charge is stored on the inside of the plates, at the boundary with the dielectric.

Answered by Sunita , an ibibo Advisor, at 12:15 AM on February 19, 2008

In a way, a capacitor is a little like a battery. Although they work in completely different ways, capacitors and batteries both store electrical energy.

A capacitor is an electrical/electronic device that can store energy in the electric field between a pair of conductors (called "plates"). The process of storing energy in the capacitor is known as "charging", and involves electric charges of equal magnitude, but opposite polarity, building up on each plate.

nside the capacitor, the terminals connect to two metal plates separated by a non-conducting substance, or dielectric. You can easily make a capacitor from two pieces of aluminum foil and a piece of paper. It won't be a particularly good capacitor in terms of its storage capacity, but it will work.

In theory, the dielectric can be any non-conductive substance. However, for practical applications, specific materials are used that best suit the capacitor's function. Mica, ceramic, cellulose, porcelain, Mylar, Teflon and even air are some of the non-conductive materials used. The dielectric dictates what kind of capacitor it is and for what it is best suited. Depending on the size and type of dielectric, some capacitors are better for high frequency uses, while some are better for high voltage applications. Capacitors can be manufactured to serve any purpose, from the smallest plastic capacitor in your calculator, to an ultra capacitor that can power a commuter bus.

Answered by Kannan , an ibibo Specialist, at 11:38 AM on February 19, 2008

hi harish ,An electrical component that stores an electric charge. In some EDM power supplies, a bank of capacitors are connected across the machining gap. The current for the spark comes directly from the capacitors when they are discharged.

Answered by Uttam , an ibibo Master, at 12:34 PM on February 19, 2008

well, A device that stores electrical charge, using a positively charged surface and a negatively charged surface with a gap between them. The Leyden jar, used by early electrical experimenters (including Benjamin Franklin) was a form of capacitor.

Answered by Romi , an ibibo Master, at 9:54 PM on February 19, 2008

Capacitors store electric charge. They are used with resistors in timing circuits because it takes time for a capacitor to fill with charge. They are used to smooth varying DC supplies by acting as a reservoir of charge. They are also used in filter circuits because capacitors easily pass AC (changing) signals but they block DC (constant) signals.

Answered by Smarty , an ibibo Master, at 1:30 AM on February 20, 2008