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ASVAB · Components and Devices

What does a capacitor do in an electronic circuit?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Stores electrical energy (charge) and releases it when needed

  1. A Permanently blocks all current
  2. B Stores electrical energy (charge) and releases it when needed
  3. C Limits current only
  4. D Converts AC to light

Why this is the answer

A CAPACITOR STORES electrical energy (charge) in an electric field and releases it when needed. ASVAB Electronics Information tests components. Capacitors store charge on two plates separated by an insulator (dielectric); capacitance is measured in FARADS. Uses: smoothing/filtering power supplies, timing circuits, storing energy, blocking DC while passing AC. Unlike a resistor (which limits current) or battery (chemical storage), a capacitor stores energy electrostatically and can charge/discharge quickly. Knowing the capacitor stores and releases electrical energy is commonly tested.
Source: ASVAB Electronics Information — Capacitors

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About this topic: Components and Devices

Components and devices questions cover what resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, transformers, fuses and switches do, and their schematic symbols. Recognising a symbol and naming its job is most of the section. This is one of 19 Electronics Information questions on components and devices, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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