Question

Is the capacitor passive or active?

Answer 1

Hint:Any device that is capable of monitoring current flow in a circuit such that the movement of electrons goes through them from another electrical signal is called an active device. Alternately, devices that are unable to influence the current are called passive devices. Therefore depending upon the nature of the source, functioning of the component power gain, and flow of current we can differentiate an active element from a passive.


 Complete step by step solution:
A capacitor is considered as a passive element because it can store energy in it as an electric field. The energy distributing capacity of a capacitor is restricted and temporarily because it is not really supplying energy, it is storing it for later use. It is not considered an active component and no energy is being provided or amplified. A diode may also seem like an active device since it has an inherent cut-off voltage and a breakdown voltage, but since these voltage values cannot be controlled on the outside, they are considered to be passive devices.
A capacitor can store electrical energy and work as a ground for AC, but it cannot be used to control the current flow. The capacitor consumes only energy. It can regulate it by maintaining it and releasing it after a certain time, but there is a lot of difference between regulating and generating energy. So it is a passive device. The capacitance of the device is permanent the moment it is manufactured. It is a constant property decided by the physical structure and material used in the manufacturing.

Note:Active components are energy donors. Passive components are energy acceptors. Devices which produce energy in the form of voltage or current are active. Devices which store energy in the form of voltage or current are passive. Examples of the active components include diodes, transistors, SCR, integrated circuits, and that of the passive components are resistor, capacitor, and inductor.