What consequence occurs if an inductor is shorted?

When an inductor is shorted, the correct consequence is that current bypasses the coil. This occurs because a short circuit provides a path of very low resistance, allowing current to flow through this alternative route rather than through the inductor itself.

In a normal state, an inductor resists changes in current due to its property of inductance, which stores energy in a magnetic field created around the coil as the current passes through it. However, when it is shorted, the magnetic field collapses because the current is no longer flowing through the inductor as intended, and the potential for energy storage is effectively nullified.

The other choices may seem plausible in different contexts, but they do not reflect the reality of what happens when an inductor is shorted. This understanding is essential for anyone working with electronics, particularly in understanding circuit behaviors and safety implications when inductors are involved.