What is the function of a capacitor?

The function of a capacitor is to store and release electrical energy. Capacitors are key components in electrical circuits, allowing them to temporarily hold electrical charge. When a capacitor is charged, it accumulates energy in the form of an electric field. This stored energy can later be released back into the circuit when needed, making capacitors crucial for maintaining stable voltage levels, filtering signals, and powering devices momentarily when power is not available from other sources.

The other choices do not accurately represent the primary function of a capacitor. While increasing voltage levels is often associated with transformers, capacitors themselves do not perform this function directly. Interrupting faulty circuits is typically the role of devices like circuit breakers, which are designed to stop the flow of electricity in case of issues. Conducting electricity is a characteristic of conductors rather than capacitors, as capacitors primarily function by storing energy rather than allowing a continuous flow of electrical current.