Step potential

Okay kiddo, let me explain "step potential" to you in a simple way.

Imagine you are walking on a long path wearing rubber shoes. Suddenly, you come across a step, which means the path you were walking on has a sudden change in elevation. But this step is different, it does not have the same height as the rest of the path. This means your footsteps are now on different levels, and your rubber shoes are touching both levels at the same time.

This is just like what happens when electrical current is flowing in the ground, and you are standing on the ground with rubber shoes. If there is a sudden change in potential, like a lightning strike or a fault in an electrical wire, the electrical current traveling through the ground can also cause a step potential, which means there is a difference in voltage between two points on the ground, just like the difference in elevation on the step you just encountered.

This voltage difference can be dangerous if it passes through your body, as your body can act as a conductor of electricity, and you might get shocked. That's why it's important to stay away from areas where electrical faults can occur or stand on non-conductive surfaces like rubber mats in areas where electrical activity is taking place.

I hope that helps, kiddo!