A circuit breaker having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact that are arranged movably relative to one another in a movement direction. Inside the first electrical contact, an interior hollow space is provided that is in fluidic connection with at least one gas flow opening provided in the area of a distal end of first electrical contact. The interior hollow space is in fluidic connection with a gas flow creating device. During a relative movement of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact in movement direction, a gas flow may be created through the interior hollow space and the at least one gas flow opening for cooling at least the distal end of first electrical contact in order to avoid creation of an electrical arc between the two electrical contacts or at least terminate the electrical arc as quickly as possible.