Uses Of Capacitors And Resistors

A circuit is a complete circular path that electricity flows through. It is a way to transmit electric current, something the majority of the modern world depends on completely and utterly. Amongst the many elements used in a circuit other than a power source, wires for current to flow through and a load, are capacitors and resistors. These two are the most commonly used components which can be found in almost any electrical circuit, anywhere. Both have a role to play in influencing electric charges flowing through the circuit, a characteristic that both of them carry out differently than each other. Here’s a quick overview of what both of these components are and what they are used for:

Capacitors

The main purpose of capacitors is to store electric charge between their two plates. This electric charge/energy is then released when it is needed. The structure mainly consists of two plates, parallel to each other, between whom a potential difference is applied. There are primarily two types of capacitors, a fixed one and a variable one, both of which just differ in whether they allow adjustable capacitance.

Resistors

The main use of resistors is to absorb electric charge/energy and convert it into thermal energy. And in that process, they limit the flow of electric charge in that circuit. In essence, they serve the purpose of a switch that controls switching current on or off. Just like capacitors, resistors are also of two types, fixed and variable.

Usage Of Both

The primary differences between both of these elements and their uses are the different ways in which both of them alter and modify the course of electric charge. Whereas resistors resist the flow of electric charge and go on to limit it, capacitors store that electric energy within an electric field and release it when it is needed. By including both of these elements together in a circuit, the impact of both can be amplified in their respective modes of action. In short, adding more resistors in series to each other increases the resistance of a circuit, while adding more capacitors in series with each other increases the capacitance of a circuit. One of the most widely practised uses of both of these is in equipment used for radio communications and logic circuits, where both play critical, yet different roles. 

Capacitors and resistors are two of the most essential elements used in almost every single circuit around the world. From simple RC circuits to complex electric systems, you’ll find both of these working together in perfect synergy.