equipotential

American  

[ee-kwuh-puh-ten-shuhl, ek-wuh-] / ˌi kwə pəˈtɛn ʃəl, ˌɛk wə- /

adjective

Physics.

1. of the same or exhibiting uniform potential at every point.

   an equipotential surface.

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equipotential British  

/ ˌiːkwɪpəˈtɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. having the same electric potential or uniform electric potential

2. Also: equipotent.  equivalent in power or effect

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noun

1. an equipotential line or surface

equipotential Scientific  

/ ē′kwə-pə-tĕn′shəl,ĕk′wə- /

1. A surface within a region containing a potential (typically electric potential), such that all the points on the surface have equal potential.

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Other Word Forms

• equipotentiality noun

Etymology

Origin of equipotential

First recorded in 1670–80; equi- + potential

Example Sentences

In other words, motion along an equipotential is perpendicular to E .

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Work is needed to move a charge from one equipotential line to another.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Sketch the equipotential lines in the vicinity of two opposite charges, where the negative charge is three times as great in magnitude as the positive.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

No work is required to move a charge along an equipotential, since ΔV = 0 .

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

In this way the equipotential lines can easily be picked out.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 458, October 11, 1884 by Various

Related Words

• commensurate
• equal
• proportionate
• tantamount