Capacitor

A capacitor is an electronic device that stores
electric energy. It is similar to a battery, but is smaller, lightweight
and charges up much quicker. Capacitors are used in many electronic
devices today, and can be made out of many different types of material.
Capacitors
are usually made with two metal plates that are on top of each other
and near each other, but that do not actually touch. When powered, they
allow energy to be stored inside an electrical field. Because the plates
need a lot of area to store even a small amount of charge, the plates
are usually rolled up into some other shape, such as a cylinder.
Sometimes, other shapes of capacitors are used for special purposes. A
capacitor-like effect can also result just from two conductors being
close to each other, whether you want it to exist or not.The type of
capacitor used depends on the application. Capacitors come in many
sizes. They can be as small as an ant or as large as a dustbin.
All
capacitors have two connections, or leads. Most kinds of capacitors can
be changed around easily by someone who has basic skills in
electronics. However, one of the more powerful types - the electrolytic
capacitor - must be used the correct way, or they can explode violently.
While
capacitors do have similarities to batteries in that they can store
energy - as mentioned earlier - capacitors can also release all their
stored energy very quickly, even faster than a second. Batteries, on the
other hand, release their energy slowly.
A
charging and discharging defibrillator for heart attacks is a good
example of how a capacitor gradually charges up, until it can not be
filled any more, and then quickly discharging its stored power to
another area that needs it to function.