Electric potentialElectric potential, also known as the electrostatic potential or electric field potential, is a field of scalar quantities through space, often denoted with the letter φ {\displaystyle \varphi } or V {\displaystyle V} , that gives, for each point in space, the electric potential energy per unit of electric charge that a point charge would have if it was located at that point: at every point, a particle of charge q particle {\displaystyle q_{\text{particle}}} would have the electric potential energy U particle when at the point = q particle V point {\displaystyle U_{\text{particle when at the point}}=q_{\text{particle}}\,V_{\text{point}}} .
Scalar potentialIn mathematical physics, scalar potential describes the situation where the difference in the potential energies of an object in two different positions depends only on the positions, not upon the path taken by the object in traveling from one position to the other. It is a scalar field in three-space: a directionless value (scalar) that depends only on its location. A familiar example is potential energy due to gravity.Newtonian potentialIn mathematics, the Newtonian potential, or Newton potential, is an operator in vector calculus that acts as the inverse to the negative Laplacian on functions that are smooth and decay rapidly enough at infinity. As such, it is a fundamental object of study in potential theory.
Conservative forceIn physics, a conservative force is a force with the property that the total work done by the force in moving a particle between two points is independent of the path taken. Equivalently, if a particle travels in a closed loop, the total work done (the sum of the force acting along the path multiplied by the displacement) by a conservative force is zero. A conservative force depends only on the position of the object.
Gravitational fieldIn physics, a gravitational field or gravitational acceleration field is a vectorfield used to explain the influences that a body extends into the space around itself. A gravitational field is used to explain gravitational phenomena, such as the gravitational force field exerted on another massive body. It has dimension of acceleration (L/T) and it is measured in units of newtons per kilogram (N/kg) or, equivalently, in meters per second squared (m/s).
Work (physics)In science, work is the energy transferred to or from an object via the application of force along a displacement. In its simplest form, for a constant force aligned with the direction of motion, the work equals the product of the force strength and the distance traveled. A force is said to do positive work if it has a component in the direction of the displacement of the point of application.
EnergyPhysical quantityEnergy (from Ancient Greek ἐνέργεια (enérgeia) 'activity') is the quantitativeproperty that is transferred to a body or to a physical system, recognizable in the capacity to do work and in the form of heat and light. Energy is a conserved quantity—the law of conservation of energy states that energy can be converted in form, but not created or destroyed. The unit of measurement for energy in the International System of Units (SI) is the joule (J).
Point (geometry)Fundamental object of geometry A finite set of points (in red) in the Euclidean plane.
MassAmount of matter present in an objectMass is an intrinsic physical quantity of a body which in modern physics is generally defined as the strength of an object's gravitational attraction to other bodies. The unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI) is the kilogram (kg). Mass can also be understood as a measure of the energy content of a body (see E=mc²).Classical mechanicsIn physics, classical mechanics is a theory that describes the effect of forces on the motion of macroscopic objects and bulk matter, without considering quantum effects, and often without incorporating relativistic effects either. It is used in describing the motion of objects such as projectiles and particles, parts of machinery, spacecraft, planets, stars, galaxies, deformable solids, fluids, macromolecules and other objects.Conservative vector fieldIn vector calculus, a conservative vector field is a vector field that is the gradient of some function. A conservative vector field has the property that its line integral is path independent; the choice of path between two points does not change the value of the line integral. Path independence of the line integral is equivalent to the vector field under the line integral being conservative.Charge (physics)In physics, a charge is any of many different quantities, such as the electric charge in electromagnetism or the color charge in quantum chromodynamics. Charges correspond to the time-invariant generators of a symmetry group, and specifically, to the generators that commute with the Hamiltonian.
InfinityInfinity is something which is boundless, limitless, or endless. It is denoted by ∞, called the infinity symbol. From the time of the ancient Greeks, the philosophical nature of infinity has been the subject of debate.
finiteRelated word or term.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.