The diagram below shows a socket in which the switch is ON.
Will the bulb glow if:
(a) it is connected across B and C?
(b) it is connected across A and C?
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In a three pin socket, the upper bigger hole is for the earth wire, the hole on the right side is for the live wire and the hole on the left side is for the neutral wire.
So here, C is earth, B is live and A is neutral.
(a) Yes, the bulb will glow.
Reason — The live wire B is at a high potential (220 V) while the earth wire C is at zero potential, so there is a potential difference of 220 V across the bulb and a current flows through it.
(b) No, the bulb will not glow.
Reason — Both the neutral wire A and the earth wire C are at zero potential, so there is no potential difference across the bulb and hence no current flows through it.