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

See Examples For:

equipotential

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

This implies that a conductor is an equipotential surface in static situations.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

The equipotential lines can be drawn by making them perpendicular to the electric field lines, if those are known.

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

The surface of a charged conductor is an equipotential surface, because when the electric charge is in equilibrium there is no tendency for electricity to move from one part to the other.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

Related Words

• commensurate
• equal
• proportionate
• tantamount