Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A simple electric circuit in which a closed path for current to flow is supplied by conductors (usually metal wires) connecting a load to the terminals of a battery, represen...Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): A simple electric circuit in which a closed path for current to flow is supplied by conductors (usually metal wires) connecting a load to the terminals of a battery, represented by the red parallel lines. In a simple circuit (one with a single simple resistor), the voltage supplied by the source equals the voltage drop across the resistor, since \(\mathrm{PE}=q \Delta V\), and the same \(q\) flows through each.
It is possible, however, for something to happen that causes the wire bringing the current in to come into contact with either the wire carrying the current out or the ground wire, thus causing what i...It is possible, however, for something to happen that causes the wire bringing the current in to come into contact with either the wire carrying the current out or the ground wire, thus causing what is called a short circuit. When the switch is in the on position, electricity can flow through the red circuit, through the electromagnet, and out into the rest of the circuit.
