Defining Electric Potential Difference by Moving a Multimeter’s Ground Probe

• Marta R. Stoeckel ^[1]
  1. [1] Tartan High School
• Localización: The Physics Teacher, ISSN 0031-921X, Vol. 56, Nº. 1, 2018, págs. 24-25
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The abstract nature of electric potential difference (voltage) can make it a difficult concept to grasp, but understanding the relative nature of voltage is central to developing a conceptual understanding of electric circuits. In laboratory situations, I see these conceptual difficulties manifest when students have difficulty placing voltmeter probes appropriately or struggle to interpret unexpected multimeter readings, such as negative voltages. I developed this lab activity to reinforce the relative nature of electric potential difference and to provide students with a concrete understanding of what a voltmeter measures, including the significance of the placement of each multimeter probe.