Why Does A Capacitor Store Energy But Not Charge?

Why Does A Capacitor Store Energy But Not Charge?

  • A capacitor accumulates energy in the electric field formed between its plates when a voltage is introduced across them.
  • This energy accumulation happens as the capacitor gathers an equal quantity of positive and negative charge on its two plates, generating an electric field.
  • Although it stores energy, it does not store “charge” in the sense of amassing surplus positive or negative charges overall; instead, it momentarily divides existing charges.
  • The overall charge stays balanced, with one plate containing an excess of electrons (negative charge) and the other a corresponding shortage of electrons (positive charge), leading to energy storage rather than net charge storage.