Question

What does the term 'choice of reference level' mean in the context of potential and potential difference?

Answer 1

Choice of reference simply means that you could designate a fixed potential -- o, positive or negative to a particular point, and then calculate the potential with respect to that point. P.D. on the other hand always remains fixed between two points -- no matter what your reference is!

Answer 2

potential diff is between two diff potentials. . potential is taken from infinity. practicall potential cannot be calculated, only potential diffrence can be.. . refer a good physics book for more info.

Answer 3

my memory isn't very good with this sort of thing but I think potential difference is a fixed quantity but the potential depends on your choice of reference level. . e.g.. potential at start=0. potential at end=10. . potential at start=-5. potential at end=5. . would give the same potential difference but use a different choice of reference