Question

cora, an electrician, wraps a copper wire with a thick plastic coating. what is she most likely trying to do? keep the electric potential of the wire balanced decrease the wires resistance increase the voltage produced by the wire keep a current from passing out of the wire

Explanation:

Plastic is an insulator, which does not conduct electricity. When Cora wraps the copper wire (a conductor) with plastic, she is using the insulating property of plastic. Let's analyze each option:

• "keep the electric potential of the wire balanced": Plastic coating has no direct relation to balancing electric potential.
• "decrease the wire’s resistance": The resistance of a wire depends on its length, cross - sectional area, and the material of the wire. Plastic coating does not decrease the wire's resistance.
• "increase the voltage produced by the wire": The voltage produced by a wire (in cases like electromagnetic induction) is related to factors like the rate of change of magnetic flux, not the plastic coating.
• "keep a current from passing out of the wire": Since plastic is an insulator, it prevents the electric current in the copper wire from leaking out (for example, to the surroundings or to other conductive objects it might come in contact with).

Answer:

D. keep a current from passing out of the wire