Short circuit fundamentals in basic circuits: In practical electrical terms, a short circuit is best characterized by which property of the path between two nodes?

Introduction:
A short circuit describes an unintended low-impedance path that bypasses the intended load. Recognizing the defining property of a short circuit helps explain why currents surge, fuses blow, and protective devices operate in power and electronics applications.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idealized short circuit has approximately zero ohms between two nodes.
• Source has nonzero internal resistance but is relatively small.
• Conductors and interconnections have negligible resistance compared to the load.

Concept / Approach:

Ohm's law states I = V / R. If the resistance R of a path approaches zero, then for any finite voltage V, the current I becomes extremely large. This is why shorts are hazardous and why current-limiting or protective devices are required. The key characteristic is the very low resistance (ideally zero), not high resistance, not low current, and not zero conductance.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Real systems show protective devices (fuses, breakers) operating when a short occurs, consistent with abnormally large current due to near-zero resistance path. Measurements reveal minimal voltage across the shorted points because V = I * R and R is tiny.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• too much resistance: Opposite of a short; that describes an open or high-impedance fault.
• no conductance: Conductance is 1/R; a short has very high conductance, not zero.
• low current: Shorts yield high current for a given source.
• very high voltage drop: The drop across the short itself is near zero.

Common Pitfalls:

• Confusing a short with an overload through a partially resistive path; shorts are the extreme low-resistance case.
• Assuming an ideal zero-ohm short; in practice, small but nonzero resistance and source limits still cap the current.

Final Answer:

no resistance