Question

1. a branch of a parallel circuit that has a shorted component________. a allows no current b measures zero volts across the good component c allows maximum current d measures the applied voltage across the shorted component

Explanation:

In a parallel circuit, when a component is shorted, the resistance of that branch becomes extremely low (ideally zero). According to Ohm's law \(I = \frac{V}{R}\), with \(R\approx0\), the current \(I\) in that branch (for a given voltage \(V\) across the parallel branches) will be very large (maximum current for that circuit's power - supply limitations).

• Option a: A shorted component has very low resistance, so current flows ( \(I=\frac{V}{R}\), \(R\approx0\) gives \(I\) large), so this option is wrong.
• Option b: In a parallel circuit, the voltage across all branches is the same (equal to the applied voltage). A shorted component does not cause the voltage across a good component in another parallel branch to be zero. So this option is wrong.
• Option c: Using \(I=\frac{V}{R}\), for a shorted component \(R\approx0\), so \(I\) (current) is maximum (limited by the source's ability to supply current and other non - shorted parts of the circuit), this option is correct.
• Option d: A shorted component has \(V = IR\approx0\) (since \(R\approx0\)), not the applied voltage. The applied voltage is across the parallel combination, but across the shorted component \(V\approx0\). So this option is wrong.

Answer:

C. allows maximum current