Which component is used to store electrical energy for short periods?

The component that is used to store electrical energy for short periods is the capacitor. Capacitors are designed to hold electrical charge, allowing them to store energy temporarily. When a voltage is applied across a capacitor, it accumulates charge on its plates, creating an electric field. This stored energy can then be released when the circuit requires it, making capacitors essential for functions such as smoothing voltage fluctuations in power supplies, timing applications in oscillators, and coupling/decoupling signals in different parts of electronic circuits.

In contrast, inductors store energy in a magnetic field when current flows through them, but they are typically used for longer energy storage than capacitors. Resistors do not store electrical energy; rather, they dissipate it as heat by providing resistance to the flow of electric current. Transistors are semiconductor devices used to amplify or switch electronic signals, rather than for energy storage. This distinction highlights why the capacitor is the correct choice for short-term electrical energy storage.