 Norm detects proper closed subsets under finite normalization

For a finite integral inclusion $A=k[t_1,\dots ,t_r]\subset B$ of domains, a nonzero $b\in B$ has a monic minimal polynomial over the fraction field with nonzero constant term $a_0\in A$. Its equation gives $a_0\in bB\cap A$. Consequently the image of $V_B(b)$ under the finite morphism to ${\mathbb{A}}^r$ is contained in the proper Zariski-closed set $V_A(a_0)$. Finite morphisms preserve the dimension of a closed subvariety and its image, so this proves dimension drops for proper closed subsets after Noether normalization. A power of $a_0$, up to sign, is the field norm of $b$.