Arizona Esthetics State Board Practice Exam

Which electrical component stores energy in an electric field?

1. Resistor

2. Capacitor

3. Inductor

4. Diod

The correct answer is: Capacitor

The component that stores energy in an electric field is the capacitor. Capacitors are key elements in various electronic circuits and are used extensively in esthetic equipment, such as in devices that rely on alternating current (AC). When a voltage is applied across the terminals of a capacitor, it accumulates electrical charge, creating an electric field between its plates. This electric field is what enables the capacitor to store energy, which can later be released when the circuit requires it. In contrast, a resistor dissipates energy as heat and does not store energy. An inductor, while it stores energy in the form of a magnetic field when electrical current flows through it, is not the correct answer because it operates under a different principle. A diode, on the other hand, is a semiconductor device that allows current to flow in one direction and does not store energy. Thus, the capacitor is uniquely suited for energy storage in an electric field, making it the correct answer.