quality factor

The quality factor, often abbreviated as Q factor, is a dimensionless parameter used in electronics to describe how underdamped an oscillator or resonator is. It quantifies the energy stored in a resonant system compared to the energy dissipated per cycle.12

In alternating current (AC) circuits, the Q factor is particularly relevant in resonant circuits. A high Q factor indicates that the circuit stores energy more effectively and dissipates it more slowly, leading to a sharper resonance peak. Conversely, a low Q factor means more energy is lost per cycle, resulting in a broader resonance curve. This property is crucial in applications like radio tuning, where a high Q factor allows for selective amplification of specific frequencies.2