What is a capacitor generally known as?

A capacitor is generally known as a condenser because the term "condenser" has historically been used to describe devices that can store electrical energy in an electric field. This capacity to store energy is key to a capacitor's functionality in electrical circuits. Capacitors work by accumulating and holding an electric charge, and they play a critical role in filtering, smoothing, and timing applications within electronic circuits.

Other devices mentioned, like resistors, transformers, and inductors, serve different purposes in electrical systems. Resistors oppose the flow of electricity and dissipate energy as heat, transformers adjust voltage levels in AC circuits without storing energy, and inductors store energy in a magnetic field when electrical current flows through them. Therefore, the unique characteristic of a capacitor as a component designed specifically for storing electrical energy justifies its alternative name, "condenser."