What happens when you open an electric circuit?

When you open an electric circuit, you create a gap that prevents current from flowing. This disruption in the circuit occurs when a switch is turned off or a connection is broken. As a result, the flow of electric charge is halted, leading to an interruption in the continuity of the circuit.

Opening a circuit does not increase resistance in the traditional sense but rather stops the flow of electricity entirely, which could be associated with a very high resistance. The statement about reducing voltage also misrepresents the effects: voltage is present in the circuit's components regardless, but with an open circuit, no current can flow despite any voltage across components. Thus, the core function of opening a circuit is indeed characterized by the creation of a gap that stops current flow.