What is an equipotential in an electric/gravitational field?

Equipotentials are lines of constant potential. In radial fields they join points of equal potential and are perpendicular to the field lines.
They are concentric spherical surfaces about the centre of the body and get further apart because the field gets weaker - you move a greater distance before you get the same ΔV.

CD
Answered by Chris D. Physics tutor

12115 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain the Doppler Shift Effect, and how it can be used to measure blood flow in the body.


If an alpha particle (Z = 2) of kinetic energy 7 MeV is incident on a gold nucleus (Z = 79), what is its closest distance of approach?


"An inclined plane at an angle of 25 degrees to the horizontal has a pulley at its top. A 30kg block on the plane is connected to a freely hanging 20kg block by means of a cord passing over the pulley. From rest how far will the 20kg block fall in 2s?


A spacecraft called Deep Space 1, mass 486 kg, uses an “ion-drive” engine which expels 0.13 kg of xenon propellant each day at 30kms^-1. What is the initial increase in speed of the spacecraft


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning