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Why a Capacitor Is Called a Non-Dissipative Element – Capacitor Energy Storage, Lossless Element, Ideal Capacitor Explained
A capacitor is called a non-dissipative element because it stores electrical energy in its electric field without converting it into heat during ideal operation.
Unlike resistors, which dissipate energy as heat, capacitors absorb energy and return it to the circuit.
In real life, small losses exist due to dielectric leakage and ESR, but ideally, a capacitor is considered lossless.
Dissipation means the generation of heat:
In the above circuit, power is dissipated across R1 and R2.
A capacitor does not generate heat:
In the same manner, we may think that power is dissipated across C and R, but in reality, power is dissipated across R only. Why?
Because a capacitor simply charges and discharges through R. In short capacitor is just absorbing and releasing charge. No current flows through the capacitor because of the dielectric in-between the plates of the capacitor. Hence capacitor is non non-dissipative element.
FAQ:
1. Why is a capacitor called a non-dissipative element?
An ideal capacitor stores energy in its electric field without converting it to heat, making it a lossless, non-dissipative element.
2. Does a capacitor waste power?
An ideal capacitor does not. Practical capacitors have tiny losses due to dielectric leakage and equivalent series resistance (ESR).
3. How does a capacitor store energy?
A capacitor stores energy by building an electric field between its plates when voltage is applied.
4. Is a capacitor more efficient than a resistor?
Yes. A resistor dissipates energy as heat, while a capacitor ideally returns the stored energy to the circuit.
5. Are real capacitors fully non-dissipative?
No. Real capacitors have small losses, but they are still considered nearly lossless compared to resistive elements.
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