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Electric potential is a crucial concept in understanding how electric eels generate shocks. It is the amount of electric energy per unit charge at a point in space. The electric potential difference between two points, measured in volts, determines how electric charges move; from higher potential to lower potential areas.
In electric eels, special cells work like small batteries. If each cell generates 0.10 V, it means that the electric potential at one end of the cell is 0.10 volts higher than at the other end. This slight difference sums up to create the eel's stunning discharge. By organizing these cells cleverly, electric eels can generate large voltage surges to protect themselves and capture prey.

To increase electric potential, multiple cells need to be connected in series. In a series connection, the voltage of each cell adds up to the total voltage. This is akin to connecting several batteries end to end, making the total potential difference the sum of each individual battery.

• If a single cell has a potential of 0.10 V, and you connect two in series, the combined potential becomes 0.20 V.
• This process continues as more cells are added in series, each time increasing the total voltage.
• Such a configuration does not increase electric current capacity but increases the voltage.

Electric eels benefit from this setup because they can effectively stack the small voltages from numerous cells to generate significant electric shocks, enough to achieve their protective and hunting purposes.

Capacitors are devices that store electric charge and energy. In the case of electric eels, cells behaving like capacitors quickly store and discharge large energy amounts. This ability is critical since it allows eels to deliver a sudden and powerful voltage surge to incapacitate prey or defend themselves.
In electrical terms, a capacitor consists of two conductors separated by an insulator. When connected to a battery or other charge source, it accumulates charge, creating an electric field and storing energy in that field. When needed, capacitors rapidly discharge the stored energy. This makes them perfect for electric eels, requiring a brief but potent burst of electricity at will.
Understanding capacitors helps explain why electric eels need multiple cells connected in series to produce higher voltages, effectively allowing them to operate as natural, efficient energy-storing batteries.