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

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

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Isolines in a region where an electric field exists represent lines of equal electric potential, referred to as equipotential 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

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

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Arguing from experience, we come to the conclusion that each planet must also possess its electric field, which also must have its lines of force, its different potentials at different distances, and its equipotential surfaces.

From Aether and Gravitation by Hooper, William George

Related Words

• commensurate
• equal
• proportionate
• tantamount