Which electrical device is known for storing potential energy?

A capacitor, specifically an electrolytic capacitor, is known for storing potential energy in the form of an electric field. When a voltage is applied across a capacitor, it accumulates charge on its plates, creating an electric field between them. The amount of energy stored in a capacitor can be quantified using the formula ( \frac{1}{2} C V^2 ), where ( C ) is the capacitance and ( V ) is the voltage across the capacitor. This stored energy can then be released when the capacitor discharges, which is a crucial function in various electrical and electronic circuits.

While transformers, inductors, and resistors play important roles in electrical systems, they do not store energy in the same way as capacitors. A transformer is primarily used to transfer electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction, but it does not store energy. An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field when current flows through it, but it is not as directly associated with potential energy as a capacitor. A resistor mainly dissipates energy as heat and does not store energy at all. Thus, the capacitor stands out as the correct answer for an electrical device specifically known for storing potential energy.