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What are capacitors?

Answer:

Capacitors have plates - separated by an insulator - which can store electric charge.

Capacitors are not the same as batteries: batteries produce electric charge from chemicals.

Capacitance = charge stored/voltage.

Capacitors are available in many different types for various applications.

Some examples are:

for use in electronic circuits:
- miniature ceramic
- miniature tantalum electrolytic
for power-factor correction:
- large electrolytic for small appliances
- very large oil-filled capacitors for large motors
for general use:
- foil with paper insulation

First answer by Bwtranch. Last edit by Martinel. Contributor trust: 886 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 6 [recommend question].

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