The switch is closed. Which bulb lights first?

A) The one on the left

B) Same time

C) The one on the right

D) Neither will light

Solution: B. When the switch is closed, the electrons that are already inside the bulbs will begin to migrate in a specific direction and light the bulb. The bulbs do not wait for electrons to come from the battery to begin to light.

Note that the closer bulb will have a small induced current (from an electromagnetic wave traveling through space) before the one that is farther, but that will not light the bulb.