Question

What happens to the resistance of the circuit during a short circuit.

Answer 1

Hint: An electric circuit is defined as a closed loop in which current flows through different electric elements. A schematic diagram of all circuit elements used in a symbolic form is known as circuit diagram. Resistance is a type of electric component which opposes the flow of current through them. It is necessary to maintain the direction of flow of the current in a circuit.

Complete answer:
Short circuits mainly happen when live and neutral wire comes in contact with each other. This may happen due to loose connections of wire in the circuit or in a specific appliance or overloading on circuit for a very long interval of time.

Short-circuit causes the resistance to decrease as the wires touch each other and excessive current flows through the circuit and resistance nearly becomes zero. It may cause damage to appliances connected in the circuit and also to human life. Short-circuit even causes fire due to excessive current in the circuit which causes heating of different poor insulated elements. Short –circuits may also happen due to lightning.

Note: To avoid short-circuits fuse are installed in the circuit, a fuse breaks the circuit when overflow of current happens due to faults in any element in the circuit. Fuse melts and the path of current breaks down which prevents short-circuit and saves or electric appliances. A fuse must have a voltage more than of the circuit.