What electrical component stores energy and releases it when needed in a circuit?

The correct choice is a capacitor because it is specifically designed to store electrical energy in an electric field and release it when required in a circuit. When a voltage is applied across its plates, it accumulates charge, thus storing energy. This stored energy can be discharged quickly when needed, providing a burst of energy to the circuit.

Capacitors are widely used in various applications, such as smoothing out fluctuations in power supplies, filtering signals, and providing energy storage in timing circuits. Their ability to store and release energy makes them crucial in managing power flow and ensuring stability in electrical circuits.

The other components have different primary functions. A resistor primarily restricts the flow of electric current and dissipates energy as heat but does not store energy. An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field when current passes through it and releases it when the current decreases, but it functions differently than a capacitor in terms of energy release. A transistor is utilized for switching and amplifying signals rather than storing energy.