Electric Potential Difference

The Electric Potential Difference Video Tutorial describes and explains the changes that occur in electric potential for a positive test charge passing trhough a circuit.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

1. What is meant by electric potential difference?
2. How can one describe the changes occurring in electric potential as a charge passes through a circuit?

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

Minds On Physics, Electric Circuits Module, Mission EC2
A Minds On Physics mission will give you a mental workout. But when you're done, you'll feel like you know your stuff. This mission on Voltage in circuits is a good fit to the video.

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 Difference
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:
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.

Minds On Physics, Electric Circuits Module, Mission EC2
A Minds On Physics mission will give a student a mental workout. But when they're done, you can be confident that they have worked through the details of a concept with some degree of depth. This mission on Voltage in circuits is a good fit to the video. Use it with a Task Tracker account and have students progress tracked.

Know Your Potential Concept Builder
The first two of three activities of this Concept Builder may be suitable for viewers of this video. It is a great tool when used with a Task Tracker subscription.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Electric Circuits Chapter: Electric Potential Difference
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.