Electric Potential

The Electric Potential Video Tutorial explains what is meant by electric potential and discusses why it is a purely location-dependent quantity.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

1. What is electric potential and how is it related to electric potential energy?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Know Your Potential Concept Builder
A Concept Builder provides students an interactive questioning module with immediate feedback and question-specific help. They are always a great follow-up to a video.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits Chapter: Electric Potential
The content discussed in our videos is almost always present at the Tutorial section of our website.This particular page is the written version of our video. It makes a great reference.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner, Electric Circuits Section
Our Curriculum Corner is composed of a collection of Think Sheets. Each one makes for a great component of any Lesson Plan. They work great for both independent practice exercises and cooperative group exercises. The following Think Sheet makes a great complement to this video and the one that follows it:
Electric Potential Difference

Teacher Toolkits: Circuit Concepts
Try a Teacher Toolkit ... you might be very glad that you did. Each toolkit includes annotated links to vetted resources from across the web that we feel reliably support the specific topic. Give this one on circuit concepts a try.

Know Your Potential Concept Builder
This Concept Builder may be a bit too early for users of this video but it is worth mentioning here for those teachers who will be making later applications of electric potential to circuits.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits Chapter: Electric Potential
The content discussed in our videos is almost always present at the Tutorial section of our website. This particular page is the written version of our video. It makes a great reference for students. Use the trick many teachers use - link to it from your course page.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.