Final answer:
The ignition switch, starter motor, and battery are components that can prevent an engine from cranking, while the fuel pump is not directly involved in the cranking process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component or circuit that can prevent the engine from cranking is the ignition switch. When the ignition switch is faulty, it may not send the electrical signal to the starter motor to crank the engine. Additionally, a starter motor that is defective can prevent the engine from turning over. The battery is also crucial; if it's too weak, it will not provide the necessary power to the starter motor. While the fuel pump is critical for supplying fuel to the engine, it is not directly involved in the cranking of the engine. Without a properly functioning ignition switch, starter motor, or battery, the engine will not crank.
To generate large voltages with a 12-V battery in an automobile, the ignition circuit uses a transformer to step up the voltage to be high enough to spark the plugs. Moreover, when a current flowing through a large inductor is suddenly interrupted, as with a switch, a large voltage is induced across the terminals, often leading to an arc. This phenomenon is due to the inductor's resistance to changes in current and is related to Lenz's law.