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.

---

equipotential British  

/ ˌiːkwɪpəˈtɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. having the same electric potential or uniform electric potential

2. Also: equipotent.  equivalent in power or effect

---

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.

---

Other Word Forms

• equipotentiality
  noun

Etymology

Origin of equipotential

First recorded in 1670–80; equi- + potential

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

equipotential

Sketch the equipotential lines a long distance from the charges shown in Figure 19.34.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

Figure 19.12 An isolated point charge Q with its electric field lines in blue and equipotential lines in green.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

Because a conductor is an equipotential, it can replace any equipotential surface.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

Force is in the same direction as E , so that motion along an equipotential must be perpendicular to E .

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

When the lines of force and the equipotential surfaces are straight, parallel, and equidistant, we have a uniform field.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 288, July 9, 1881 by Various

Related Words

• commensurate
• equal
• proportionate
• tantamount