Technician A says current cannot move until the intended path is open. Technician B says an open circuit’s electrical pathway is connected. Who is correct?
Select one:
a. Technician A
b. Technician B
c. Both Technician A and Technician B
d. Neither Technician A nor Technician B
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d. Neither Technician A nor Technician B.
Here’s why:
- Technician A says “current cannot move until the intended path is open.” This statement is incorrect because, in an electrical circuit, current flows when there is a complete path (closed circuit) for the current to travel through. If the path is open, such as when a switch is off, the current does not flow, as there is no continuous pathway for the electrons to travel.
- Technician B says “an open circuit’s electrical pathway is connected.” This statement is also incorrect. An open circuit means there is a break or gap in the electrical pathway, preventing the current from flowing. In an open circuit, the pathway is not connected, which is why current cannot flow.
In a closed circuit, the electrical pathway is complete, allowing current to flow. When a circuit is open, the electrical pathway is broken, which results in no current flow.
To clarify:
- Current flows through a closed circuit, where the electrical components are connected without any interruptions.
- An open circuit creates a gap or interruption, and the current cannot flow.
Thus, both technicians are mistaken in their explanations about how electrical circuits work.