What term describes an element that is not a source of energy, such as a resistor, inductor, or capacitor?

The term that describes an element that does not provide energy but rather consumes or stores energy is known as a passive element. Passive elements include resistors, inductors, and capacitors, which interact with electrical energy in ways that do not involve supplying power to a circuit.

For instance, a resistor dissipates energy in the form of heat when current flows through it, an inductor stores energy in a magnetic field when current passes through, and a capacitor stores energy in an electric field across its plates. All these components influence the behavior of electrical circuits but do not generate energy.

In contrast, active elements are those that can provide energy to the circuit, like power supplies and transistors. Reactive elements, while often including inductors and capacitors, specifically refer to components that react to changes in voltage and current, typically involving energy storage rather than generation. Control elements are components used to direct or modulate the flow of energy within a circuit but do not fall into the category of energy sources or sinks. Thus, the correct identification of passive elements emphasizes their role as energy consumers or storage devices rather than sources of energy.