equipotentialadj.
/ˌiːkwɪpəʊˈtɛnʃəl/ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [adjective] > equal or on the same level > equally powerful
equipotentiala1678
equipotent1875
a1678 A. Woodhead Motives Holy Living (1688) 56 Not equipotential, or independent one of another.
2. Physics. Of points: in which the potential of a force is the same. Of lines, surfaces, etc.: in which the potential is constant at all points. equipotential function n. one which expresses the conditions of equality of potential.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > mechanics > force > [adjective] > specific attributes of force
restitutive1683
unpolar1843
powerful1859
equipotential1865
non-central1929
the world > matter > physics > energy or power of doing work > [adjective] > made potential > in which potential is the same
equipotential1865
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > voltage > electrical potential > [adjective] > equal
equipotential1865
isoelectric1877
1865 W. T. Brande & G. W. Cox Dict. Sci., Lit. & Art (new ed.) I. 804/1 Equipotential surface.
1879 Encycl. Brit. VIII. 25/2 A surface constructed so that the potential at every point of it has the same value is called an equipotential or level surface.
1880 Nature 12 Feb. 361/1 [A] disk, through which an electric current was passing until two nearly equipotential points were found.
1880 Athenæum 13 Nov. 644/1 Equipotential lines in a plate.
1881 J. C. Maxwell Treat. Electr. & Magnetism (ed. 2) I. 14 When a potential function exists, surfaces for which the potential is constant are called Equipotential surfaces.
1882 G. M. Minchin Uniplanar Kinematics 228 Equipotential and flow functions.
3. Biology. Of a germ or embryo: having equal potentialities (see quot. 1920).
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1908 H. Driesch Sci. & Philos. Organism I. 83 Though ectoderm and endoderm have their potencies equally distributed amongst their respective cells, they possess different potencies compared one with the other. And the same relation is found to hold for all cases of what we may call elementary organs: they are ‘equipotential’, as we may say, in themselves, but of different potencies compared with each other.
1920 L. Doncaster Introd. Study Cytol. 118 It is maintained by Driesch and others that eggs of this type are equipotential systems, that is to say, they are not differentiated before fertilisation into regions of different potentiality, and any part of the egg is capable of giving rise to any part of the embryo.
Derivatives
ˌequipotentiˈality n.
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1909 J. W. Jenkinson Exper. Embryol. 282 This conception, of the absolute equipotentiality of the parts, as we have already had occasion to remark, is erroneous.
1964 M. Critchley Developmental Dyslexia xiii. 77 The frequent occurrence of cortical equipotentiality.
Draft additions 1993
Physics. An equipotential line, surface, etc.
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1908 J. H. Jeans Math. Theory Electr. & Magn. vii. 162 If any number of surfaces are fixed in position, and a given charge is placed on each surface, then the energy is a minimum when the charges are placed so that every surface is an equipotential.
1959 Z. Kopal Close Binary Syst. iii. 133 Such configurations represent the largest closed equipotentials capable of containing the whole mass of the respective components, and will hereafter be referred to as their Roche limits.
1975 D. M. Cook Theory Electromagn. Field iv. 114 That the electric field at the surface of a conductor is perpendicular to that surface now leads us to suspect that the surface of a conductor must be an equipotential.
1982 Skitek & Marshall Electromagn. Concepts & Applic. vii. 191 This method will be applied to electrostatic problems where ρv = 0 and the boundaries are equipotentials.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.a1678