Passive vs Active Components in Capacitors and Inductors: What's the Difference?

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SUMMARY

Capacitors and inductors are classified as passive components, as they do not provide gain and rely solely on the input signal's power. While capacitors can absorb and release energy, they do not generate power independently, which is a defining characteristic of active components. Active components, such as transistors and amplifiers, require an external power source to operate. Therefore, both capacitors and inductors fall under the category of passive components in electrical engineering.

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Of Capacitors and Inductors which is passive or active ? And by what definition ?
 
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My guess is that both are passive. What I am confused is that capacitors can both absorb and release energy (after absorbing) so how come its not both active and passive ?
 
In general active components provide gain (amplifiers), where as RLCs are all passive components. They cannot provide gain.
 
Can someone please explain ?
 
Passive components use only the power of the input 'signal', voltage and current.

Active components need and additional source of power to make them work...transistors or valves (tubes).
 

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