Energy Storage

A brief introduction about energy storage, why it's important, and how these concepts play a role in modern electronics and technology.

Energy storage in resistance isn't as straightforward as in inductance or capacitance, but resistive materials can store energy temporarily through heat. This occurs because electrical energy can be converted into thermal energy when current flows through a resistor. The energy is stored as heat and dissipates over time.

Joule’s Law: The heat generated by a resistor is proportional to the square of the current .

Inductors store energy in the form of a magnetic field. When an electrical current flows through an inductor, it creates a magnetic field around it. The energy is stored in this magnetic field and can be released back into the circuit when the current changes.

Inductors are used in power supplies, transformers, and circuits where energy needs to be stored temporarily and released gradually, such as in electric motors or tuning circuits.

Capacitors store energy in the form of an electric field between two conductive plates separated by an insulating material (dielectric). When a voltage is applied, electrical charge accumulates on the plates, and energy is stored in the electric field.

Capacitors are widely used in electronic circuits for energy storage, smoothing voltage fluctuations, in timing circuits, and as filters. They also play a significant role in power management and energy storage systems like supercapacitors.