Which electrical component stores energy in an electric field?

A capacitor is the electrical component that stores energy in an electric field. This function is based on the ability of the capacitor to hold an electric charge. When a voltage is applied across the terminals of a capacitor, an electric field is created between its plates as positive and negative charges accumulate. This stored potential energy can then be released when the capacitor discharges, making it a crucial component in various electrical circuits, including filtering applications, energy storage systems, and timing circuits.

The other components listed do not primarily store energy in an electric field. A resistor, for instance, is designed to limit or control the flow of electric current and dissipates energy as heat. An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field rather than an electric field when current flows through it. A transformer, on the other hand, operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction to transfer electrical energy between two circuits, primarily altering voltage levels without storing energy in a field in the same way a capacitor does.