electric potential
1
5.1
- noun
- /ɪˈlɛktrɪk pəˈtɛnʃəl/
- Specialized
:
potencial eléctrico
- In electrical engineering, understanding the electric potential is crucial for circuit design.
Now, dealing with a huge electric potential like this isn't easy.
- Now, dealing with a huge electric potential like this isn't easy.
Examples
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The scientist explained that the electric potential difference between the two terminals drives the current flow.
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And then this leads to a change in the electrical potential inside of the cell.
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An electric potential of three to five volts is needed to drive the reaction, and the rate of production is proportional to the electric current.
Blog text (18) -
For example, the electric potential generated by two charges is the simple addition of the potentials generated by each charge in isolation.
Blog text (29) -
There is an electrical potential across the plasma membrane of this Axon.
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An electric potential appears between the electrodes because of the excess of electrons at the anode (where they are generated) compared with the cathode (where they are consumed).
Academic text (1994) -
After discussing circuits (including capacitors) in terms of charges and fields, the authors introduce the electric potential, and then revisit DC circuits from a more conventional vantage.
Academic text (1996) -
The electric potential at point A in the circuit was measured to be five volts.
Synonyms
7
8.8
A voltage that a battery or generator gives to an electric circuit
How High
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound combines 'electric' (relating to electricity) with 'potential', so the phrase transparently signals a quantity or property associated with electricity. However, its precise technical sense ('energy per unit charge, measured in volts') requires domain-specific physics knowledge beyond typical B1 vocabulary, so learners who only know the constituent words will grasp the general idea but not the exact meaning.
Etymology
Electric potential comes from the image of height in a water system: imagine water high in a tank ready to flow down. The word potential means 'stored energy' and electric shows it is about electricity, so electric potential is the 'height' or 'push' of electricity at a point, and differences in that 'push' make current flow.