Which statement is true about an open circuit?

Which statement is true about an open circuit?

• A. Current flows normally.
• B. There is no complete path for current to travel.
• C. Voltage rises to dangerous levels.
• D. The circuit is always energized.

Answer: (B)

Current flows only when there is a closed loop for charges to travel. An open circuit has a break in the path, so electrons can’t complete their journey from the source through the load and back. Because the loop isn’t complete, no current can flow, even though the source may still hold a voltage on the open terminals. In this situation, there may be a voltage present across the open gap, but that doesn’t force current to move because the circuit isn’t complete. The other ideas assume current can flow normally, that voltage automatically rises to dangerous levels, or that the circuit is always energized, none of which describes an open circuit.

Current flows only when there is a closed loop for charges to travel. An open circuit has a break in the path, so electrons can’t complete their journey from the source through the load and back. Because the loop isn’t complete, no current can flow, even though the source may still hold a voltage on the open terminals.

In this situation, there may be a voltage present across the open gap, but that doesn’t force current to move because the circuit isn’t complete. The other ideas assume current can flow normally, that voltage automatically rises to dangerous levels, or that the circuit is always energized, none of which describes an open circuit.