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

It is important to note that equipotential lines are always perpendicular to electric field lines.

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

An equipotential sphere is a circle in the two-dimensional view of Figure 19.12.

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

It could equally be shown that there were equipotential surfaces so far as the phenomena of heat and light are concerned, as these also are subject to the same laws.

From Aether and Gravitation by Hooper, William George

Related Words

• commensurate
• equal
• proportionate
• tantamount