Which statement best defines a short circuit?

• A. A break in the circuit that stops current flow.
• B. Unwanted contact between points at different voltages.
• C. A path with no resistance causing excessive current.
• D. A device that stores electrical energy.

Answer: (B)

Short circuits occur when two conductors that are at different electrical potentials touch or become connected in a way that creates a very low-resistance path. That unintended contact allows a large amount of current to flow, bypassing the normal load and risking overheating or damage. The statement that best captures this idea is the one describing unwanted contact between points at different voltages. An open circuit is just a break that stops current, not a short. A path with no resistance describes the effect but uses absolute language; real circuits still have some resistance, and the defining issue is the unintended connection between differing voltages. A device that stores electrical energy isn’t about a short circuit at all.