In electrical terms, what is capacitance?

Capacitance refers to the ability of a component or circuit to store an electric charge. This is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering. Capacitors, which are devices specifically designed to exhibit capacitance, are used in a variety of applications where energy storage is needed, such as smoothing out voltage fluctuations in power supplies or enabling timing functions in circuits.

When a voltage is applied across a capacitor, it stores electrical energy in the form of an electric field between its plates. The amount of charge that a capacitor can store is directly proportional to the voltage across it. This relationship is defined by the capacitor's capacitance value, which is measured in farads. Greater capacitance means higher storage capacity for the electric charge at a given voltage.

In contrast, the other concepts mentioned relate to different properties of electrical components. The ability to conduct electricity pertains to materials and their conductivity, the ratio of voltage to current defines resistance or impedance, and the flow of electric charge per unit time describes current. Therefore, the correct identification of capacitance as the ability to store an electric charge highlights its unique role in electrical systems.