Final answer:
An electric latch is a locking mechanism that allows doors to close without manually retracting the latch, employing a spring or pressure mechanism for ease of use.
Step-by-step explanation:
An electric latch is a type of electromechanical locking mechanism often used in door access control systems. The advantage of an electric latch is that it simplifies the operation of door closures by not requiring the latch to be manually retracted in order for the door to close.
Instead, the latch can retract automatically when the door is pushed against it, thanks to a spring or pressure mechanism within the lock that allows it to ride up over the strike plate and snap into place, securing the door.