What device can temporarily store charge in an electric circuit?

• A. Transistor
• B. POTENTIOMETER
• C. Capacitor
• D. Inductor

Answer: (C)

The device that can temporarily store charge in an electric circuit is a capacitor. Capacitors are passive electronic components that store electrical energy in an electric field when a voltage is applied across their terminals. This storage capability allows them to release the stored energy when needed, providing a quick supply of electricity to a circuit.

Capacitors are widely used in various applications, such as in smoothing out voltage fluctuations in power supplies, filtering signals in audio equipment, and in timing circuits. Their ability to charge and discharge rapidly makes them essential for many electronic functions where temporary energy storage is required.

In contrast, other options serve different functions: transistors are semiconductor devices used for switching and amplifying signals, potentiometers are variable resistors for adjusting voltage or current, and inductors store energy in a magnetic field but do not hold electrical charge in the same way capacitors do. This distinction highlights why a capacitor is the correct choice for the temporary storage of electrical charge in a circuit.