Which electronic component can detect both non-metallic and metallic objects?

The capacitive sensor is capable of detecting both non-metallic and metallic objects due to its operating principle, which relies on changes in capacitance caused by the presence of these objects. It can respond to any material that affects the dielectric constant of the medium around it, whether it is an organic substance like wood or plastic or a metallic object. This versatility makes capacitive sensors widely used in applications such as level sensing, proximity detection, and touch sensing.

In contrast, the other sensors have specific detection capabilities that limit their use to certain materials. Inductive sensors are designed to detect metallic objects using electromagnetic induction, making them unsuitable for non-metallic materials. Photoelectric sensors rely on light to detect objects and are effective for both types of objects, but their efficacy can be influenced by transparency and reflective properties. Hall effect sensors are primarily used to detect magnetic fields and are not designed for broad material detection like capacitive sensors. Therefore, the characteristics of capacitive sensors align most closely with the requirement to detect both metallic and non-metallic objects effectively.