What is an Electric Potential ?

The concept of potential is fundamental in physics. In just a few words, an electric potential is an energy per unit charge. A gravitational potential is an energy per unit mass (mass is the charge of gravity). But what does this really mean?

In this video, we will answer that question by exploring the notion of potential in detail.

First, we will learn about gravitational potential, usually a concept that is more intuitive to most students. After this, we will use this understanding to learn about electric potentials.

We will conclude by discussing the concept of voltage, which is just a difference of electric potential.

00:00:36 - What is a gravitational potential?
00:03:00 - What is an electric potential?
00:04:54 - What is a voltage?

This video involves notions related to electric charges. For a quick refresher on what is an electric charge, check this youtube video:

For a deeper dive, here’s a fantastic course on the subject:

This video is produced and presented by Edouard Reny, Ph.D. in solid state chemistry and private tutor in physics.

For access to great resources that will help you with your studies of high school Physics, visit and subscribe to the "Physics Made Easy" website:

[kyonhihorahipadhai]

"It's not difficult, you just need to get used to it." Great advice!

[MedEasyAnas]

You're awesome dude, I'm a medical student learning about electromyographs and this helped me understand a concept in physics which is a subject I'm not good at.

[Agamemnon]

I am an engineer and I am tutoring my son in physics and maths for his final year at A' level.
It has surprised me regardless of using such equations as part of my work, how many of the basic principals behind them I have forgotten.
This is a great refresher, and another indication that teaching people requires great thought and skill.
Many thanks.

[ashutoshsharma]

Most school textbooks tend to define electric potential the 'tougher' way around. "Potential is the work done.. blah.. blah."
Is it necessary to complicate things this much? Why can't they write it the 'natural' way? Kudos to them for complicating a simple notion into an abstruse monster.
And Many many thanks to the you, professor! This was a masterpiece!

[Urekorbnot]

Hello sir ..i am from India .. studying in 10th grade ... I was not able to understand this concept.. .. but this video helped me ... Thank you so much

[aysoodaagh]

I've been watching YouTube videos about physics since the beginning of high school and now I'm shocked that I have never came across to your channel before! Your explanation was incredibly helpful. Thanks a million. You kinda saved my life sir.

P.s. I subscribed.

[Shiva-ldbw]

My view of voltage has forever changed, thank you so much for your explanation! I would not understand every detail on the first go but the picture you've left in my mind is priceless!

[basnft]

I am an electrical engineer and this video is genuinely the most descriptive, pedagogic and complète one I found, very great job sir

[rubinbalaji]

Fabulous teaching professor..
Today a new student rises from india🇮🇳 for your classes ...thank you sir👏🌷👍

[maharmibhattacharya]

When i listen to him, i'm so moved by his humble way of teaching, where he can explain such complicated things in such a simpler way. such teachers are gems. cause all my life i only had teachers who used very complicated and hard words to explain things, it definitely is the reason why most of people feel so stressed with the subject. thank you sir, for changing my view of understanding physics.

[Chandlerbing]

I'm 27 and some how managed degree and job without understanding much physics but a part of me always want to understand how everything happening around me, thank you sir.

[jayasuryach]

It was had understoood in a such a MY MIND BEFORE WATCHING THE VIDEO...AND AFTER WATCHING THE. VIDEO....😉

[edison]

Such an illustrative and simple way to explain something that seems so complex. Even a physics inept like me was enlightened, thank you sir keep up the great content

[felipemerique]

I'm trying to understand how electricity is formed on the human body, and this video helped me a lot. Thank you so much!

[xaimeglez]

Interesting Very helpful, you are now my favorite YouTuber!!!!

[shambhuparsad]

sir i got confused on this topic since 2 moths and i tried to understand the concept but i can't understand, finally today you have clear my all dought, thanks a lot

[MelloCello]

Lucid, direct and clear explanations.

Something to note about a common point of confusion is the difference in nomenclature between the concept of energy and work.
This really helped to make that difference stridently clear and really helped to tie it all together


Thank you Dr. Reny🙏

[FilthyHedgeHog]

I love you man. Thanks a lot, I wonder why our teachers don't explain this concept like you did in classrooms.

[joshuafiloteo]

I’m an undergrad taking electrodynamics, and after this video I FINALLY have a grasp about the potential! I honestly had a better grasp on electric potential than gravitational potential, which always confused me when it came up in classical mechanics, such as the explanation for Lagrange points.

[DEEPSONI-ghgu]

dude thank u sooo muchh I was literally struggling with it from class 10 you just made it crystal clear 🙇‍♀🙇‍♀🙇‍♀