Which of the following components is used to store electric energy in a circuit?

The component used to store electric energy in a circuit is a capacitor. Capacitors function by accumulating electric charge on their plates, which creates an electric field between them. This stored energy can be released back into the circuit when needed. The ability of capacitors to store energy is critical in applications such as filtering, timing, and energy storage within various electronic circuits.

The other components listed have different primary functions. Resistors control the flow of electric current and dissipate energy as heat, rather than storing it. Inductors store energy in a magnetic field when current passes through them, but they do so via magnetic energy rather than electric charge like capacitors. Transistors are semiconductor devices used for switching or amplifying electrical signals, not for storing energy. Thus, each of these components serves unique roles in an electronic circuit, making the capacitor the correct choice for energy storage.