A complete circuit is often referred to as an open circuit.

A complete circuit is often referred to as an open circuit.

• A. True
• B. Yes
• C. False
• D. Not necessarily

Answer: (C)

Current flows only when the path forms a closed loop. An open circuit has a break in the path, so no current can flow. Calling a complete circuit an open circuit would be mixing up those two states—complete equals closed, open equals broken. For example, with a battery, a bulb, and a switch, when the switch is off the loop is open and the bulb stays dark; when the switch is on the loop is closed and current can flow, lighting the bulb. So the statement is false because a complete circuit is not referred to as an open circuit.

Current flows only when the path forms a closed loop. An open circuit has a break in the path, so no current can flow. Calling a complete circuit an open circuit would be mixing up those two states—complete equals closed, open equals broken. For example, with a battery, a bulb, and a switch, when the switch is off the loop is open and the bulb stays dark; when the switch is on the loop is closed and current can flow, lighting the bulb. So the statement is false because a complete circuit is not referred to as an open circuit.