Why electricity does not flow through an open circuit but flows through a closed circuit?

Answer 1

Electricity does not flow in open circuit because the path is not a complete circuit and has the maximum impedance to flow of electricity while it flows in short circuit because electricity always wants a path with least impedance to flow which short circuit is one of such path

Answer

Current can jndeed flow through an open circuit. A capacitor is an open circuit, yet it will allow a d.c. current to flow for a short period of time, and an a.c. current can flow continuously.

Answer 2

Your question illustrates a really interesting misconception because, in fact, current can flow in an open circuit! For example, a capacitor consists of two metal 'plates' separated by a dielectric (insulator) so it constitutes an 'open circuit'. Yet, while a capacitor certainly will oppose the flow of alternating current it doesn't prevent it from flowing!

Answer 3

Electric current has to flow in a closed circuit because, if it were not closed there would be no place for the current to flow.

You could transfer charge, certainly, but you would not be able to sustain a current. Look at Ohm's law: voltage equals current times resistance - an open circuit is simply one with infinite resistance - with infinite resistance, current must be zero, no matter what the voltage.

Answer 4

When creating thevenin equivalent circuits, voltage sources may be removed and represented as an open circuit, and current sources are represented as a short circuit.

Beyond the explanation of "that's the way it's done", if you open circuit at a current source, the current will be zero (thus the current source is non existent).

Alternative Answer

In a way, yes, current can indeed flow in an 'open circuit'. A circuit with a series-connected capacitor is an open circuit. In the case of a DC circuit, current will flow until the capacitor becomes fully charged -the time required depends upon the values of resistance and capacitance. In the case of an AC circuit, current will flow constantly even though the capacitor is in series.

Ohm's law does not allow for an open circuit. notice that the term open circuit is an oxymoron. when there is a break in the metal (low resistance) contact points, or even the copper line, a virtual high resistance joint is immediately inserted by nature. current still flows but not enough to light up say,a light bulb or something. as long as there is a voltage source, there is no way for current (electrons or holes) to stay put. lightning is an extreme but good example of current in an apparent open circuit. OK, Ok, let's just settle on the lowly vacuum tube diode where there is not only a visible break in the electron path, but a vacuum as well, to push my point.

Answer 5

Current cannot flow in a circuit that is incomplete (open). There must be a current path (a complete circuit) to facilitate current flow.