Fill in the blanks with information from the passage: 1. To keep the potential difference, it is necessary to… 2

To maintain the potential difference, it is necessary to have a source of electrical energy. This means that there must be a power source, such as a battery or a generator, to provide the voltage or potential difference required for current flow.

Substances with minimal resistance are referred to as conductors. Conductors are materials that allow electric current to flow easily through them due to their low resistance. Common examples of conductors include metals like copper and aluminum.

The most effective insulators are materials that have high resistance. Insulators are materials that do not allow electric current to pass through them easily. Substances like rubber, plastic, and glass are effective insulators because they offer high resistance to the flow of electricity.

Electric circuits come in different types, including series circuits and parallel circuits. In a series circuit, components are connected end to end, forming a single pathway for the current to flow. In a parallel circuit, components are connected in multiple branches, allowing for different pathways for current flow.

We break the circuit when we open a switch or disconnect a component. Breaking the circuit means interrupting the continuous path that allows current to flow. This is typically done by opening a switch or disconnecting a component from the circuit.

We complete the circuit when we close a switch or connect a component. Completing the circuit means reestablishing the continuous path for current flow. This is achieved by closing a switch or connecting a component to the circuit.

A short circuit occurs when there is an unintended low-resistance pathway that bypasses the normal components in a circuit. This can lead to a sudden and excessive flow of current, potentially causing overheating or damage to the circuit.

A fuse is a safety device that contains a thin wire designed to melt and break the circuit when excessive current flows through it. Fuses are used to protect electrical circuits from overloads and short circuits by interrupting the current flow when necessary, preventing damage to the components and ensuring safety.