What type of electrical component stores energy in a magnetic field?

The correct answer is the inductor, which is a type of electrical component specifically designed to store electrical energy in a magnetic field. When an electric current flows through an inductor, it generates a magnetic field around it. The energy is stored in this magnetic field and can be released back into the circuit when the current changes.

Inductors are often used in applications involving energy storage, filtering, and oscillators, making them crucial in many electronic circuits. They are characterized by their inductance, which measures how much magnetic field they can generate for a given current.

To provide context, a varistor primarily protects circuits from voltage spikes by changing its resistance. A capacitor, on the other hand, stores energy in an electric field, not a magnetic field. A diode allows current to flow in one direction but does not store energy. Understanding these differences helps clarify why inductors are unique in their function of storing energy in a magnetic field.