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Electric current cannot jump from a circuit to another if the gap is too big or the voltage too small. At the bottom of a switch is a piece of metal that allows current to pass if pressed down.

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14y ago
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11y ago

Let's say, for example, that you have a straight wire, not connected to anything else, and a voltage. The voltage will make electrons move along the wire, and they will move for a very brief time, but electrons will soon build up on one side, and there will be a lack of electrons on the other side. The side that has a surplus of electrons will repel additional electrons, and this force will soon be equal to the force they experience from the voltage source. Similarly on the other side - the lack of electrons will pull electrons back, not allowing more electrons to get out. This "short time" is typically a very small fraction of a second, for example a few microseconds.

Let's say, for example, that you have a straight wire, not connected to anything else, and a voltage. The voltage will make electrons move along the wire, and they will move for a very brief time, but electrons will soon build up on one side, and there will be a lack of electrons on the other side. The side that has a surplus of electrons will repel additional electrons, and this force will soon be equal to the force they experience from the voltage source. Similarly on the other side - the lack of electrons will pull electrons back, not allowing more electrons to get out. This "short time" is typically a very small fraction of a second, for example a few microseconds.

Let's say, for example, that you have a straight wire, not connected to anything else, and a voltage. The voltage will make electrons move along the wire, and they will move for a very brief time, but electrons will soon build up on one side, and there will be a lack of electrons on the other side. The side that has a surplus of electrons will repel additional electrons, and this force will soon be equal to the force they experience from the voltage source. Similarly on the other side - the lack of electrons will pull electrons back, not allowing more electrons to get out. This "short time" is typically a very small fraction of a second, for example a few microseconds.

Let's say, for example, that you have a straight wire, not connected to anything else, and a voltage. The voltage will make electrons move along the wire, and they will move for a very brief time, but electrons will soon build up on one side, and there will be a lack of electrons on the other side. The side that has a surplus of electrons will repel additional electrons, and this force will soon be equal to the force they experience from the voltage source. Similarly on the other side - the lack of electrons will pull electrons back, not allowing more electrons to get out. This "short time" is typically a very small fraction of a second, for example a few microseconds.

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14y ago

well, current is the movement of free electrons so if you break a point in the wire you effectively stop the electrons from flowing as the electrons need to be touching each other in order to pass on energy or charge.

The reason why if there is a gap in the circuit the electrons dont just jump it is because of resistance of air as the electrons in air are not free to flow they are not conduction electrons unlike in a metal such as copper wire.

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11y ago

Let's say, for example, that you have a straight wire, not connected to anything else, and a voltage. The voltage will make electrons move along the wire, and they will move for a very brief time, but electrons will soon build up on one side, and there will be a lack of electrons on the other side. The side that has a surplus of electrons will repel additional electrons, and this force will soon be equal to the force they experience from the voltage source. Similarly on the other side - the lack of electrons will pull electrons back, not allowing more electrons to get out. This "short time" is typically a very small fraction of a second, for example a few microseconds.

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11y ago

because currentalways required a close path to flow. so in open ckt no path is finding for current flow

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10y ago

A circuit is a complete loop. If the loop is broken, then so is the circuit,

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9y ago

It's just a fact of life, you need a closed circuit to carry a current.

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9y ago

If the electric circuit is broken, there will be no medium for transfer of electrons and flow of current. Hence, electric current does not exist.

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Q: Why can't an electric current exist if the electric circuit is broken?
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Related questions

Why can't an electric current exist if the circuit is broken?

If the electric circuit is broken, there will be no medium for transfer of electrons and flow of current. Hence, electric current does not exist.


Why electric current cannot exist if an electric circuit is broken?

Current flow is fully based on motion of electrons since there is no possibilities to motion electron in open circuit there no current flow.


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Voltage, frequency, current, impedance, and what the circuit is supposed to do are all important.


Why electric current current exist if an electric circuit is broken?

well, current is the movement of free electrons so if you break a point in the wire you effectively stop the electrons from flowing as the electrons need to be touching each other in order to pass on energy or charge. The reason why if there is a gap in the circuit the electrons dont just jump it is because of resistance of air as the electrons in air are not free to flow they are not conduction electrons unlike in a metal such as copper wire.


Give example of pictures in electric circuit?

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Even without current flow there can be voltage in a circuit?

Voltage is potential energy and can exist in a open circuit.


Why can't electric current exist if it is broken?

Simple - we just look at the meaning of electrical current. Electrical current is the movement of billions of tiny electrons moving along a conductor, like a wire, for instance. In order to move, these electron have to be 'pushed' by a force that we call EMF or just Volts. The electrons are also 'pulled' from the other side by Volts, as well. Electrical current will not move unless it is both pulled and pushed, which requires a complete, unbroken loop of some kind of conductor. If you break that loop, called a 'circuit', then no current can flow.


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