A capacitor is an electrical component that stores energy in an electric field. It is made up of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material.
Energy is stored on a capacitor by charging it with an electrical current. This causes a build-up of opposite charges on the two plates, creating an electric field between them.
The unit of measurement for energy stored on a capacitor is the joule (J). However, it is also commonly expressed in terms of its equivalent unit, the farad (F).
The amount of energy stored on a capacitor is affected by its capacitance, which is determined by the size of the plates, the distance between them, and the type of insulating material used. It is also affected by the voltage applied to the capacitor.
Energy is released from a capacitor when it is discharged, which occurs when the two plates are connected by a conductor. This allows the stored energy to flow from one plate to the other, creating an electric current.