EEVblog #279 – How NOT To Blow Up Your Oscilloscope- QUERY

[MS1988]

Dear Members,
I am beginner and hobbyist. I watched a very educational video below and was not able to figure out at one point how a complete circuit is formed.
https://youtu.be/xaELqAo4kkQ?si=QOlH0zAgsvhZJFHR

In the video above I have a question,  At 12:18 , how a complete current path is formed when we only connect the alligator clip of probe to positive terminal of widget. I can see from positive terminal current goes through alligator clip to earth circuit and back to widget through negative terminal. How the negative terminal is shorted to positive terminal if only the positive is connected through alligator clip of the probe.

New update: After drawing the simplified version of circuit in paper it make sense it's a dead short. Please let me know if my attached circuit and current path is correct when we connect the alligator clip to positive terminal of widget. Please also let me know is what exactly conveyed in the video.

[Grandchuck]

Yes your arrows trace the short circuit.

[MS1988]

Thanks for your reply.

[wasedadoc]

Better to term the scope probe lead as such or as a  "cable", not a "wire".  A wire is conventionally thought of as a single conductor. (Even though it may have many strands not insulated from each other.)