What does a capacitor do?

A capacitor is an electrical component designed specifically to store electrical energy in an electric field. When a voltage is applied across its terminals, it accumulates an electric charge, which can be released when needed in a circuit. This process occurs due to the arrangement of its conductive plates and an insulating material called a dielectric.

The role of a capacitor is vital in various applications, such as smoothing out fluctuations in power supply, filtering signals in electronic circuits, and providing timing or tuning in radio frequency applications. By allowing the storage and quick release of electrical energy, capacitors help stabilize circuits and improve their overall performance.

In contrast, the other options describe functions associated with different electrical components or systems. While transformers are used to transform energy from one voltage level to another, conductors facilitate the flow of electricity, and power generation involves converting various forms of energy into electrical power. Therefore, the primary function of a capacitor remains its ability to store electrical charge.