Explanation: A capacitor stores charge by accumulating electrons on one plate and depleting them from the other, creating a potential difference. This charge physically resides on the inner surfaces of the capacitor plates (A). Simultaneously, this separation of charge establishes an electrostatic field (an electric field) in the dielectric material (or vacuum) between the plates (B). The energy of the stored charge is actually contained within this electrostatic field. Without the charges on the plates, there would be no field, and without the field, there would be no energy storage or force attracting the charges. Therefore, both the charge on the plates and the resulting electrostatic field are fundamental to how a capacitor stores energy.