A passive component is an electronic component that does not require an external power source to operate and does not produce energy. Instead, passive components only consume or store energy in one form or another, but they don't amplify or generate energy. They are typically used to control current, voltage, or power within a circuit.
Common examples of passive components include:
- Resistors β These resist the flow of electrical current and convert electrical energy into heat.
- Capacitors β These store electrical energy in an electric field and can release it when needed.
- Inductors β These store energy in a magnetic field when current passes through them.
In contrast to passive components,
active components (like transistors or diodes) can amplify signals or supply power to a circuit.
So, to put it simply: passive components donβt provide power to the circuit; they just control how the energy flows or gets stored.