What visible occurrence may happen when pulling a plug while current is flowing?

When pulling a plug while current is flowing, the most likely visible occurrence is an arc. This happens because, as the plug is being disconnected from the outlet, the electrical current that is flowing has to jump across the gap created as the contacts separate. This gap can create a brief electrical discharge in the form of an arc, which is a bright, visible flash of electricity.

An arc occurs when the electrical current finds a way to continue its path despite the physical separation of the plug and socket. It indicates that the electrical energy is still trying to complete its circuit, resulting in a high-temperature, luminous discharge. This phenomenon is important to understand, particularly in fire investigation, as it can lead to ignition sources if flammable materials are nearby.

The other occurrences listed—such as a flame, an explosion, or a short circuit—are less directly associated with simply pulling a plug from an outlet while current is flowing. Flames may result from sustained arcing or from igniting combustible materials, but they are not the immediate occurrence from disconnection. An explosion typically involves a sudden and violent reaction between substances, which is not a direct consequence of merely pulling a plug. A short circuit refers to an unintended connection that allows current to flow along an unintended path;