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

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

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

These are called equipotential lines in two dimensions, or equipotential surfaces in three dimensions.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Since the electric field lines point radially away from the charge, they are perpendicular to the equipotential lines.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

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

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

So that Mercury, Venus, the Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all have their electric fields, with their own lines of force, and with their equipotential surfaces.

From Aether and Gravitation by Hooper, William George

Related Words

• commensurate
• equal
• proportionate
• tantamount