Answer to Question #81842 in Electric Circuits for Lester

Question

If gap develops in the path of electrical charges the circuit is said to be

Answer 1

Usually on normal voltages (up to 330 000 V) electrical charges cannot overcome long air gaps or any gap of dielectric. This phenomenon is widely used in switches: when metal contacts are pressed together, electrical charges can easily flow from one contact to another. If you increase the distance between the contacts, on common voltages and curvatures the electrical field cannot make the changes move through the dielectric gap. So, the electrical current decreases to 0. The circuit is said to be opened.

Answer

The circuit is said to be opened.