Final answer:
Air conditioning system short cycling is caused by a small difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, leading to inefficient operation and increased energy consumption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Air conditioning system short cycling is normally caused by a small difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. When there is only a small temperature difference, the system may reach the desired indoor temperature quickly and turn off. However, because the temperature difference is small, the indoor temperature will start to rise again, causing the system to turn back on. This short cycling can lead to inefficient operation and increased energy consumption.