What does the dissipation factor measure in a capacitor?

The dissipation factor of a capacitor measures the ratio of energy dissipated as heat to the energy stored in the capacitor during each cycle of operation. This is a crucial aspect of a capacitor's performance, as it indicates how efficiently the capacitor can store and discharge energy without losing a significant amount as heat. A lower dissipation factor signifies that the capacitor is more efficient, while a higher value indicates more energy loss, which is undesirable in most applications. Understanding this ratio helps in evaluating capacitive components, especially in circuits where efficiency and stability are critical.