Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 19 - DC Circuits - Misconceptual Questions - Page 551: 13

Answer

Choice C.

Work Step by Step

This is discussed on page 544. If the high-voltage black wire accidentally touches the appliance case, a person touching the case could receive a bad shock. The third prong connects the appliance case to ground, and most of the current will then take that path rather than through the person (or the high current would have tripped a circuit breaker, and shut off power to the defective appliance).
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