What does the skin effect affect in a conductor at high frequencies?

The skin effect is a phenomenon that occurs in conductors at high frequencies, where alternating current (AC) tends to flow predominantly near the surface of the conductor rather than uniformly throughout its cross-section. As frequency increases, the depth at which the current effectively penetrates the conductor decreases, leading to a situation where most of the current is concentrated near the outer surface.

This behavior affects the distribution of the current flow within the conductor, which is why the correct answer highlights the location of current flow. Understanding the skin effect is crucial for designing systems that operate at higher frequencies, as it impacts the effective cross-sectional area available for current transmission, potentially leading to increased resistance and heating effects.

The other options may touch on secondary effects related to the skin effect, such as overall resistance and temperature, but they do not capture the primary aspect of how the skin effect alters where the current flows within the conductor itself.