What role do capacitors play in AC circuits?

What role do capacitors play in AC circuits?

• A. They provide continuous voltage supply
• B. They store and release electrical energy
• C. They convert AC to DC
• D. They increase the resistance in the circuit

Answer: (B)

Capacitors play a crucial role in AC circuits by storing and releasing electrical energy. When connected to an AC source, a capacitor charges and discharges in sync with the alternating current, which means it can store energy during the positive phase of the AC waveform and release it during the negative phase. This characteristic allows capacitors to help stabilize voltage and provide smoother operation in various applications, such as filtering, timing, and improving power factor in circuits. While capacitors can influence the voltage in a circuit, they do not provide a continuous voltage supply. Instead, their function is to interact with the AC signal dynamically. Similarly, capacitors are not designed to convert AC to DC; that task is reserved for devices known as rectifiers. Lastly, capacitors do not increase resistance in an AC circuit; rather, they introduce reactance, which is a form of impedance that affects how current flows in response to changes in voltage. This reactance is frequency-dependent, making capacitors essential in tuning and filtering applications.

Capacitors play a crucial role in AC circuits by storing and releasing electrical energy. When connected to an AC source, a capacitor charges and discharges in sync with the alternating current, which means it can store energy during the positive phase of the AC waveform and release it during the negative phase. This characteristic allows capacitors to help stabilize voltage and provide smoother operation in various applications, such as filtering, timing, and improving power factor in circuits.

While capacitors can influence the voltage in a circuit, they do not provide a continuous voltage supply. Instead, their function is to interact with the AC signal dynamically. Similarly, capacitors are not designed to convert AC to DC; that task is reserved for devices known as rectifiers. Lastly, capacitors do not increase resistance in an AC circuit; rather, they introduce reactance, which is a form of impedance that affects how current flows in response to changes in voltage. This reactance is frequency-dependent, making capacitors essential in tuning and filtering applications.