Capacitors, energy storage and energy release

[godtripp]

Just a short concept question for understanding...

I understand that a capacitor stores a charge,

However I'm told that capacitors can be used to store up a charge and release it very quickly.
How does this energy get released is what I don't understand.

To my understanding of a capacitor it stores a charge and if it gets too much charge there's a dielectric breakdown.

How is this useful in a circuit?

Thank you.

 

[willem2]

Dielectric breakdown is not useful in a circuit as far as I know. The way to quickly release the energy is to connect a small resistance to it. You could connect an inductor to get a large magnetic field, or make an oscillator, use it for a flashlight, or use it in a power supply to smooth out the 50/60Hz ripple.