What electrical component stores energy in an electric field?

A capacitor is the correct answer because it is specifically designed to store energy in the form of an electric field. When a voltage is applied across the terminals of a capacitor, it allows electric charge to accumulate on its plates, creating an electric field between them. The amount of energy stored in the capacitor is proportional to the voltage applied and the capacitance value, which is a measure of the capacitor's ability to store charge.

In contrast, varistors, inductors, and diodes serve different functions in electrical circuits. A varistor is used to protect circuits from over-voltage conditions, functioning as a voltage-dependent resistor. An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field when current flows through it, rather than in an electric field. A diode is a semiconductor device that allows current to flow in one direction but blocks it in the opposite direction, primarily used for rectification rather than energy storage.