What is the primary role of a capacitor in electrical circuits?

The primary role of a capacitor in electrical circuits is to store electrical energy for use when needed. Capacitors achieve this by accumulating electrical charge on their plates when a voltage is applied. This stored energy can then be released back into the circuit as needed, which is crucial in various applications such as smoothing out voltage fluctuations in power supplies, filtering signals in audio applications, and providing bursts of energy in timing circuits.

This energy storage characteristic enables capacitors to play a significant role in stabilizing and improving circuit performance. Rather than actively regulating current or generating electricity, capacitors serve more as temporary energy reservoirs, allowing systems to use energy more efficiently and maintain consistent operation.