capacitor (redirected from Capacitors)

ca·pac·i·tor  (k-ps-tr) n. An electric circuit element used to store charge temporarily, consisting in general of two metallic plates separated and insulated from each other by a dielectric. Also called condenser.

capacitor cutaway of a can-style electrolytic capacitor

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capacitor

Noun

Physics a device for storing a charge of electricity

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capacitor  (k-ps-tr) An electrical device consisting of two conducting plates separated by an electrical insulator (the dielectric), designed to hold an electric charge. Charge builds up when a voltage is applied across the plates, creating an electric field between them. Current can flow through a capacitor only as the voltage across it is changing, not when it is constant. Capacitors are used in power supplies, amplifiers, signal processors, oscillators, and logic gates. Compare induction coilresistor

capacitor A capacitor is charged when electrons from a power source, such as a battery, flow to one of the two plates. Because the electrons cannot pass through the insulating layer, they build up on the first plate, giving it a negative charge. Electrons on the other plate are attracted to the positive terminal of the battery, causing that plate to become positively charged.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

capacitor - an electrical device characterized by its capacity to store an electric charge condenser, electrical condenser, capacitance bypass capacitor, bypass condenser - a capacitor that provides low impedance over certain (high) frequencies circuit, electric circuit, electrical circuit - an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow electrical distributor, distributer, distributor - electrical device that distributes voltage to the spark plugs of a gasoline engine in the order of the firing sequence electrical device - a device that produces or is powered by electricity electrolytic, electrolytic capacitor, electrolytic condenser - a fixed capacitor consisting of two electrodes separated by an electrolyte Leiden jar, Leyden jar - an electrostatic capacitor of historical interest trimming capacitor, trimmer - capacitor having variable capacitance; used for making fine adjustments