Which component stores electrical energy?

A capacitor is a component that stores electrical energy in an electric field. It consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric. When a voltage is applied across the plates, an electric charge builds up on them, allowing the capacitor to store energy. This stored energy can then be released back into the circuit when needed, making capacitors crucial in various applications, including power supply smoothing, energy storage, and timing circuits.

While inductors and transformers also relate to energy, they primarily store energy in a magnetic field rather than an electric field like capacitors. Diodes, on the other hand, are semiconductor devices that allow current to flow in one direction but do not store energy themselves. Therefore, in the context of the question regarding which component specifically stores electrical energy, the capacitor is the clear answer.