where the current takes an unintended path (12 letter word)
short circuit
The 12-letter word that describes a situation where the current takes an unintended path is "short circuit."
A short circuit is an electrical phenomenon that occurs when there is a low-resistance connection between two points in a circuit that are not supposed to be connected. This connection creates an unintended pathway for the electric current to flow. As a result, the current bypasses the intended components or devices in the circuit and takes the path of least resistance.
To find this answer, you can break down the problem into its components. First, identify the situation where an unintended path is taken by the electrical current. Then, search for a word that accurately describes this situation. In this case, "short circuit" is the appropriate term.