Condensator: meaning, definitions and examples
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condensator
[ kənˈdɛnsəˌteɹ ]
electrical component
A condensator, commonly known as a capacitor, is an electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field. It is used in electrical circuits for smoothing, filtering, and storing charge, among other functions.
Synonyms
capacitor, electrical device, storage device
Examples of usage
- The condensator helps stabilize voltage in power supply circuits.
- Engineers often use a condensator to filter signals in audio devices.
- A condensator can quickly release energy in applications like camera flash units.
Etymology
The term 'condensator' originates from the Latin word 'condensare', which means 'to make dense'. This term evolved in the 19th century to describe devices used to store electrical energy, primarily emphasizing their function of condensing electric charge. The concept was formalized with the development of parallel plate capacitors in the early 1800s by scientists like Alessandro Volta and Michael Faraday. These early experiments laid the groundwork for the understanding and application of capacitance in electrical engineering. As technology advanced, the nomenclature shifted towards 'capacitor', but the term 'condensator' is still used in various languages and contexts to refer to this important electrical component.