Equipotential 2866340 189708651 2008-02-07T11:09:29Z Lantonov 2533541 [[WP:AWB/T|Typo fixing]] using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] '''Equipotential''' or '''isopotential''' in [[mathematics]] and [[physics]] (especially [[electronics]]) refers to a region in space where every point in it is at the same [[potential]]. This usually refers to a [[scalar potential]], although it can also be applied to [[vector potential]]s. Often, [[equipotential surface]]s are used to visualize an (n)-[[dimension]]al scalar potential [[function (mathematics)|function]] in (n-1) dimensional space. Note that an equipotential region might be referred as being 'of equipotential' or simply be called 'an equipotential'. For scalar potentials, the [[gradient]] in an equipotential region is zero, since there is no change in the value of the potential. This is important in physics because the [[force]] on a body is often determined by the gradient of that force's potential function. For example, there is zero [[electric field]] in an equipotential region (that is, a region of constant [[voltage]]). A charged [[Elementary particle|particle]] in such a region experiences no electric force. Thus, there is no [[electric current]] between two points of equal [[voltage]] because there is no force driving the [[electron]]s. Likewise, a ball will not be pulled down by the force of [[gravity]] if it is resting on a flat, [[horizontal]] surface. This is because points on the surface are at equal [[gravitational potential]]. Interestingly, ignoring local variations in altitude due to geology, the Earth's surface is an equipotential surface in the shape of an oblate spheroid due to its rotation and the Earth's gravity, and this fact allows calculation of its shape. That this is an equipotential may be easily seen, since if it were not so, the oceans and indeed the landmasses (which are subject to motion due to plate tectonics) would move so as to even out the potential. For more information, see the general article about [[potential]] ==See also== *[[Isopotential map]] [[Category:Multivariable calculus]] [[Category:Potential]] [[Category:Physics]]