equipotential

[ ee-kwuh-puh-ten-shuhl, ek-wuh- ]

adjective

, Physics.

1. of the same or exhibiting uniform potential at every point:

   an equipotential surface.

equipotential

/ ˌiːkwɪpəˈtɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. having the same electric potential or uniform electric potential
2. Alsoequipotentˌiːkwɪˈpəʊtənt equivalent in power or effect

noun

1. an equipotential line or surface

equipotential

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• ˌequipoˌtentiˈality, noun

Other Words From

• equi·po·tenti·ali·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of equipotential¹

First recorded in 1670–80; equi- + potential

Example Sentences

For one thing, they don’t seem to quite follow a so-called equipotential surface.

From Scientific American

But on a spinning planet, centripetal acceleration counters gravitational acceleration, so the equipotential surfaces depend to a large degree on where the spin axis of a planet is in relation to its geographic features.

From Scientific American

However, these shorelines fail to follow an equipotential surface, and this has been used to challenge the notion that they formed via an early ocean9 and hence to question the existence of such an ocean.

From Nature

However, surface loading from the oceans can drive polar wander only if Tharsis formed far from the equator10, and most evidence indicates that Tharsis formed near the equator11,12,13,14,15, meaning that there is no current explanation for the shorelines’ deviation from an equipotential that is consistent with our geophysical understanding of Mars.

From Nature

The result of all these factors is that the surface may look perfectly "flat" to the naked eye, but it's really a slightly rough, irregular and undulating surface, which approximately follows an equipotential gravity surface on the surface of the Earth.

From BBC

Related Words

• commensurate
• equal
• proportionate
• tantamount