The size of an electric arc and the destruction it can cause are directly proportional to the amount of __________ being interrupted.

The size of an electric arc and the destruction it can cause being directly proportional to the amount of current being interrupted is rooted in the fundamental principles of electricity. When a circuit is broken or interrupted, if a high current is flowing, the energy sustained can produce a significant arc.

Arcing occurs when the electrical current jumps across the gap created by an interrupted circuit. The intensity and duration of this arc are influenced primarily by the magnitude of the current. Higher current levels provide more energy, which can heat the air to plasma and sustain a bigger arc, leading to greater thermal and physical damage in the surrounding area.

In contrast, while voltage plays a role in the initial capability to sustain an arc, it’s the current that dictates the energy transfer during the arcing event. Resistance does influence how much current flows in a circuit, but it is not a direct measure of the destructive potential of an arc. Power, being the product of both current and voltage, is important too, but the most direct correlation when focusing on arcing phenomena is through current itself.

Therefore, recognizing the relationship between current interruption and the resulting arc's characteristics is essential for understanding electrical safety and the management of electrical systems.