Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy

AI Thread Summary
Electric potential and electric potential energy are challenging topics that often lack sufficient physical explanations in some textbooks, leading to confusion among learners. The discussion highlights frustrations with the mathematical focus in the "Fundamentals of Physics" by HRW, suggesting that it may not fully clarify the concepts. Recommendations include exploring alternative resources, such as MIT's undergraduate physics videos, which provide a more comprehensive understanding of electricity and magnetism. These supplementary materials can enhance comprehension and address gaps left by traditional textbooks. Overall, seeking diverse educational resources can significantly aid in grasping these complex physics topics.
torquemada
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I'm currently reading on my own on these topics for the first time in Fundamentals of Physics by HRW. Electric charge, electric fields, and Gauss' Law were 3 hard chapters, but manageable. In this chapter certain aspects aren't really clear to me at all, and there is more math than physical description (math isn't a problem, but there isn't enough of the latter to clarify the former), which is leaving me scratching my head and frustrated. Anyone know if these subjects are more fully fleshed out physically in another work or on a good website or video? I'm starting to see what others have said about Fundamentals cutting corners at times. Thanks.
 
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I know MIT has videos for physics at the undergraduate level that are really good. In particular, they have an entire class up about electricity and magnetism. The videos were a good supplement for me, to go with my class.

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-02-electricity-and-magnetism-spring-2002/index.htm
 

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