How does a short circuit affect electric current?

A short circuit fundamentally alters the flow of electric current by creating a low-resistance path for that current to travel. When a short circuit occurs, the resistance in the circuit drops dramatically. According to Ohm's Law (V = IR), if the resistance (R) decreases significantly while the voltage (V) remains constant, the current (I) must increase correspondingly. This results in a rapid surge of current flowing through the circuit.

Additionally, a short circuit can lead to overheating, damage to components, and potentially fire hazards due to the excessive current flow. Therefore, recognizing that a short circuit triggers this rapid increase in current is crucial for understanding electrical safety and circuit design.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the implications of a short circuit: decreased resistance does occur, but the core issue is the rapid increase in current; stabilization of the circuit is not a result of a short circuit – rather, it is destabilized; and a short circuit does not lead to safe current flow — rather it creates dangerous conditions.