Which term describes the measure of a capacitor's ability to store charge?

The measure of a capacitor's ability to store charge is defined as capacitance. Capacitance quantifies how much charge a capacitor can hold per unit voltage applied across it. It is expressed in farads (F), where one farad is equivalent to one coulomb of charge stored per one volt of electric potential. This characteristic is fundamental in electrical circuits, particularly in the functionality of filters, timing circuits, and energy storage applications.

Understanding capacitance is crucial for manipulating and designing electronic systems, as it directly relates to the performance of capacitors in various applications. This concept contrasts with voltage, which refers to the electrical potential difference, and current, which describes the flow of electric charge. Inductance, on the other hand, pertains to coils and their ability to store energy in a magnetic field rather than in an electric field, distinguishing it from capacitance's role in charge storage.