ca·pac·i·tor (k -p s  -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. |   cutaway of a can-style electrolytic capacitor |
capacitor [kəˈpæsɪtə]
n
(Electronics) a device for accumulating electric charge, usually consisting of two conducting surfaces separated by a dielectric Former name condenser
| 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 |  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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  capacitor - an electrical device characterized by its capacity to store an electric chargebypass 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 |
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