The Difference Between Capacitor and Inductor is given below

in the tabulated form.

BASIS CAPACITOR INDUCTOR

Definition Capacitor stores energy in Inductor stores energy in

the form of electric field. the form of magnetic field.

Calculation of Energy stored is Energy stored is calculated

Energy calculated in terms of in terms of current. i.e.
voltage. i.e. ½ LI2
½ CV2

Flow of current There is no flow of current In an Inductor current

through the capacitor passes through the coil.
plates.

Behavior in DC Capacitor acts as an Inductor acts as a

circuit insulator for DC circuit. conductor for DC circuit.

Relationship In an AC circuit current In an AC circuit current

between leads voltage by 90 lags voltage by 90
voltage and degrees. degrees.
current

Behavior of In a DC circuit when In a DC circuit when

current in DC capacitor is added in
circuit series with a resistor, the
current initially becomes
high but later falls to zero.
inductor is added in series
with a resistor, the value
of current is small and
afterward it increases with
time.

Unit Its unit is Farad Its unit is Henry

Types Ceramic, Electrolytic and Coupled inductor, multi

Tantalum are the types of layer, ceramic core
capacitor. inductor, molded inductor
are the types of Inductor.
BASIS CAPACITOR INDUCTOR

Short circuit The Capacitor acts as a It is equivalent to a short

short circuit for alternating circuit to the direct
current. current.

Steady state Capacitor acts as an open Inductor behaves as a

condition circuit to the steady state short circuit to the steady
condition in DC circuits. state condition in DC.

Resist to Capacitor resists change Inductor resists change in

change in voltage. current.

Applications Electrolytic capacitor in Inductors are used in

high voltage power radio, TV, chokes,
supplies and where high automobile spark plug,
capacity values are transformer etc.
needed.

Capacitor and Inductor both are the passive components of an

electrical circuit. A Capacitor consists of two metallic plates or
conductors which are separated by a dielectric medium. An electric
field set up because of the potential difference between the two
conductors or we can say between the two plates.

Inductor is a type of coil which stores energy in the form of magnetic

flux. When as electric current is passed through a coil, voltage is
developed across the coil due to change in the magnetic field