If a resistor is shorted in a circuit, the ammeter would indicate which of the following?

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Multiple Choice

If a resistor is shorted in a circuit, the ammeter would indicate which of the following?

When a resistor is shorted, a path of very low resistance surrounds it, so most of the current takes the short path and the overall resistance of the circuit drops dramatically. With the same voltage source, Ohm’s law means the current increases as resistance falls, so the ammeter in the main path will read more current than normal. The resistor itself would carry little current because the short path bypasses it. So the ammeter shows an increase in current rather than zero or the same or a decrease. In real circuits this can lead to overheating or blown fuses due to the sudden surge.

When a resistor is shorted, a path of very low resistance surrounds it, so most of the current takes the short path and the overall resistance of the circuit drops dramatically. With the same voltage source, Ohm’s law means the current increases as resistance falls, so the ammeter in the main path will read more current than normal. The resistor itself would carry little current because the short path bypasses it. So the ammeter shows an increase in current rather than zero or the same or a decrease. In real circuits this can lead to overheating or blown fuses due to the sudden surge.

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