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

[Altairs]

Of Capacitors and Inductors which is passive or active ? And by what definition ?

 

[Altairs]

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 ?

 

[Corneo]

In general active components provide gain (amplifiers), where as RLCs are all passive components. They cannot provide gain.

 

[Altairs]

Can someone please explain ?

 

[Pumblechook]

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).