When comparing the dielectric response of materials under AC and DC electric fields, which of the following statements best describes the impact of dielectric loss on energy storage in capacitors?

Dielectric loss means that part of the electric energy is converted into heat rather than being stored as useful charge. In a DC field the loss is small, so almost all the energy can be stored in the capacitor’s electric field. In contrast, an AC field repeatedly re‑polarizes the dielectric, creating more loss and reducing the net energy that can be stored. For example, a capacitor made of a lossy polymer will hold far less usable charge at 1 kHz than a low‑loss ceramic, even though both have the same capacitance. Thus, higher dielectric loss lowers the effective energy storage, especially noticeable under AC operation.